| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Mfr No | |
| Activity | |
| Alternative Names | Protein kinase B;PKB;Protein kinase B alpha;PKB alpha;RAC-PK-alpha |
| Conjugate | |
| Endotoxin Level | |
| Expression System | |
| Form | Liquid or Lyophilized powder |
| Molecular Weight | |
| Product Type | |
| Protein Length | |
| Purity | |
| Reconstitution | |
| Species | |
| Storage | |
| Target | |
| UniProt # |
Overview
Recombinant Rat RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt1) is a recombinant protein preparation from Rattus norvegicus (Rat) designed for use in assay development, binding studies, and functional characterization. Key attributes such as expression system, expressed region, and affinity tag(s) help researchers match the reagent to specific experimental readouts.
Key elements and design rationale
- Expression system: E.coli expression is commonly used for rapid, scalable production. For targets that require glycosylation or other post-translational modifications, consider how a prokaryotic system may affect folding or activity.
- Expression region: The expressed fragment (1-480aa) focuses the reagent on a defined domain/segment, which can influence binding interfaces and epitope availability.
- Tag(s)/format: His tags can support purification and detection in pull-down or binding assays; confirm that the tag position does not interfere with the interaction of interest.
- Purity: ≥95% (SDS-PAGE) provides a quick checkpoint for reagent quality in downstream analytical workflows.
- Form: Supplied as Liquid or Lyophilized powder; select the format that best fits your lab’s handling and aliquoting preferences.
Recombinant design choices (expression host, fragment boundaries, and tag configuration) help balance yield, solubility, and assay compatibility. Choose conditions and controls that match the recombinant format to your experimental question.
Biological background
Akt1 has been reported to be involved in AKT1 is one of 3 closely related serine/threonine-protein kinases (AKT1, AKT2 and AKT3) called the AKT kinase, and which regulate many processes including metabolism, proliferation, cell survival, growth and angiogenesis. This is mediated through serine and/or threonine phosphorylation of a range of downstream substrates. Over 100 substrate candidates have been reported so far, but for most of them, no isoform specificity has been reported. AKT is responsible of the regulation of glucose uptake by mediating insulin-induced translocation of the SLC2A4/GLUT4 glucose transporter to the cell surface. Phosphorylation of PTPN1 at 'Ser-50' negatively modulates its phosphatase activity preventing dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor and the attenuation of insulin signaling. Phosphorylation of TBC1D4 triggers the binding of this effector to inhibitory 14-3-3 proteins, which is required for insulin-stimulated glucose transport. AKT regulates also the storage of glucose in the form of glycogen by phosphorylating GSK3A at 'Ser-21' and GSK3B at 'Ser-9', resulting in inhibition of its kinase activity. Phosphorylation of GSK3 isoforms by AKT is also thought to be one mechanism by which cell proliferation is driven. AKT regulates also cell survival via the phosphorylation of MAP3K5 (apoptosis signal-related kinase). Phosphorylation of 'Ser-83' decreases MAP3K5 kinase activity stimulated by oxidative stress and thereby prevents apoptosis. AKT mediates insulin-stimulated protein synthesis by phosphorylating TSC2 at 'Ser-939' and 'Thr-1462', thereby activating the TORC1 signaling pathway, and leading to both phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and in activation of RPS6KB1. Also regulates the TORC1 signaling pathway by catalyzing phosphorylation of CASTOR1. AKT is involved in the phosphorylation of members of the FOXO factors (Forkhead family of transcription factors), leading to binding of 14-3-3 proteins and cytoplasmic localization. In particular, FOXO1 is phosphorylated at 'Thr-24', 'Ser-256' and 'Ser-319'. FOXO3 and FOXO4 are phosphorylated on equivalent sites. AKT has an important role in the regulation of NF-kappa-B-dependent gene transcription and positively regulates the activity of CREB1 (cyclic AMP (cAMP)-response element binding protein). The phosphorylation of CREB1 induces the binding of accessory proteins that are necessary for the transcription of pro-survival genes such as BCL2 and MCL1. AKT phosphorylates 'Ser-454' on ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), thereby potentially regulating ACLY activity and fatty acid synthesis. Activates the 3B isoform of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE3B) via phosphorylation of 'Ser-273', resulting in reduced cyclic AMP levels and inhibition of lipolysis. Phosphorylates PIKFYVE on 'Ser-318', which results in increased PI(3)P-5 activity. The Rho GTPase-activating protein DLC1 is another substrate and its phosphorylation is implicated in the regulation cell proliferation and cell growth. AKT plays a role as key modulator of the AKT-mTOR signaling pathway controlling the tempo of the process of newborn neurons integration during adult neurogenesis, including correct neuron positioning, dendritic development and synapse formation. Signals downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI(3)K) to mediate the effects of various growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). AKT mediates the antiapoptotic effects of IGF-I. Essential for the SPATA13-mediated regulation of cell migration and adhesion assembly and disassembly. May be involved in the regulation of the placental development. Phosphorylates STK4/MST1 at 'Thr-120' and 'Thr-387' leading to inhibition of its: kinase activity, nuclear translocation, autophosphorylation and ability to phosphorylate FOXO3. Phosphorylates STK3/MST2 at 'Thr-117' and 'Thr-384' leading to inhibition of its: cleavage, kinase activity, autophosphorylation at Thr-180, binding to RASSF1 and nuclear translocation. Phosphorylates SRPK2 and enhances its kinase activity towards SRSF2 and ACIN1 and promotes its nuclear translocation. Phosphorylates RAF1 at 'Ser-259' and negatively regulates its activity. Phosphorylation of BAD stimulates its pro-apoptotic activity. Phosphorylates KAT6A at 'Thr-369' and this phosphorylation inhibits the interaction of KAT6A with PML and negatively regulates its acetylation activity towards p53/TP53. Phosphorylates palladin (PALLD), modulating cytoskeletal organization and cell motility. Phosphorylates prohibitin (PHB), playing an important role in cell metabolism and proliferation. Phosphorylates CDKN1A, for which phosphorylation at 'Thr-145' induces its release from CDK2 and cytoplasmic relocalization. These recent findings indicate that the AKT1 isoform has a more specific role in cell motility and proliferation. Phosphorylates CLK2 thereby controlling cell survival to ionizing radiation. Phosphorylates PCK1 at 'Ser-90', reducing the binding affinity of PCK1 to oxaloacetate and changing PCK1 into an atypical protein kinase activity using GTP as donor. Also acts as an activator of TMEM175 potassium channel activity in response to growth factors: forms the lysoK(GF) complex together with TMEM175 and acts by promoting TMEM175 channel activation, independently of its protein kinase activity. Acts as a negative regulator of the cGAS-STING pathway by mediating phosphorylation of CGAS during mitosis, leading to its inhibition.. When interpreting results, consider species context, domain architecture, and whether the recombinant format represents full-length or a defined region.
Research relevance and current trends
- Profiling cytokine/chemokine pathways with standardized recombinant reagents to compare conditions across experiments.
- Receptor–ligand binding characterization to support pathway modeling and assay development.
Common research applications
- Binding and interaction assays: quantify partner binding and rank conditions using plate-based formats or biophysical methods (SPR/BLI).
- Enzymology: assess catalytic activity and compare substrate preferences or inhibitor effects using appropriate controls.
- Assay development: use as a standard, spike-in control, or positive control where consistent specifications are required.
Interpretation typically relies on relative comparisons (treated vs control, mutant vs wild-type, or dose/time series) using consistent sample handling and appropriate normalization.
Notes for experimental interpretation
- Post-translational modifications: expression system can affect glycosylation and processing; interpret differences cautiously when comparing to native protein.
- Isoforms and domains: expressed regions may not capture all isoform-specific features; match fragment boundaries to your assay’s binding site.
- Controls: include blank matrix controls, tag-only controls (where relevant), and orthogonal readouts (e.g., WB/qPCR/ELISA) to support interpretation.
What is protein expression and purification?
Why is there no/low protein expression?
b. Rare codons. You should optimize codons, use strains supplementing rare codons, induce at lower temperature or grow in poor media.
c. Protein toxicity. You should use promoters with tighter regulation or lower plasmid copy number. Use pLysS/pLysE bearing strains in T7-based systems or strains that are better for the expression of toxic proteins. Start induction at high OD and shorten induction time. Add glucose when using expression vectors containing lac-based promoters.
How to avoid inclusion bodies and improve soluble expression?
b. Incorrect disulfide bond formation. You should add fusion partners, including thioredoxin, DsbA, DsbC. Clone in a vector containing secretion signal peptide to cell periplasm. Use gamiB (DE3)strains with oxidative cytoplasmic environment. Lower inducer concentration and induction temperature.
c. Incorrect folding. You should use a fusion partner. Co-express with molecular chaperones. Use strains with cold-adapted chaperones. Supplement media with chemical chaperones and cofactors. Reduce the inducer concentration and add fresh media. Induce for a shorter time at low temperature.
Why is the molecular weight of protein smaller than the predicted?
b. Imbalanced translation process of fusion protein. You should change another fusion tag or move fusion tag to C-terminal. You should induce for a shorter time at low temperature or change to poor media.
c. Protein degradation. You should replace specific protease sites. Use protease deficient strains. Induce at high OD. You should induce for a shorter time at low temperature or use protease inhibitors when breaking cells.
Why is the actual band size different from the predicted?
b. Post-translational cleavage. Many proteins are synthesized as pro-proteins, and then cleaved to give the active form.
c. Splice variants. Alternative splicing may create different sized proteins from the same gene.
d. Relative charge. The composition of amino acids have different relative charge which will affect the electrophoretic mobility.
e. Multimers such as dimerisation of a protein. This is usually prevented in reducing conditions, although strong interactions can result in the appearance of higher bands.
f. Protein structure such as disulfide bond, protein secondary structure or protein 3D structure formation.
g. Hydrophobic proteins, such as transmembrane proteins, may have difficulties in migrating into the gel, and thus resulting in different multi-banded patterns.
How to express a protein with bioactivity? Why is the protein inactive?
a. Low solubility of the protein. You should fuse desired protein to a fusion partners and lower temperature.
b. Lack of essential post translational modification. You should change another expression system.
c. Incomplete folding. You should use a fusion partner and use strains with cold-adapted chaperones. Co-express with molecular chaperones at lower temperature. Monitor disulfide bond formation and allow further folding in vitro.
d. Mutations in cDNA. You should sequence plasmid before and after induction or use a recA− strain to ensure plasmid stability. Transform E. coli before each expression round.
Why are our protein products almost invisible in pipes?
Tips: Before opening the lid, we recommend to centrifuge in a small centrifuge for 20-30 seconds firstly to ensure that the contents are on the bottom of the tube. Our quality control steps ensure that the amount of protein contained in each tube is accurate, although sometimes you can’t see the protein powder, but the protein content in the tube is still very accurate.
How is the protein purified? Is the purity guaranteed?
Although we guarantee a minimum purity standard of >85%, some of the proteins we prepared have a purity of 95% or even 97%.
How should I reconstitute and store the products?
As for short-term storage or usage, please use sterile deionized water to completely reconstitute proteins to 0.1-1.0 mg/mL. Aliquot after 10-15 minutes if needed and store at 4℃.
As for long-term storage, the cytokines or recombinant proteins are recommended to add 5-50% of glycerol (final concentration) and aliquot for long-term storage at -20℃/-80℃. Our default final concentration of glycerol is 50%. Customers could use it as reference.
What types of tags do you use for fusion?
What is the impact of a given tag type and any potential biological activity of the protein?
Can you remove the endotoxin?
Can you offer aseptic manufacture processing?
How to determine species cross-reactivity of cytokines?
b. Many mouse cytokines may also have effect on human cells, however, the activity may be lower than the corresponding human cytokines.
c. One of the few human cytokines will be more active than corresponding mouse cytokines when acting on mouse cells, such as IL-7.
d. Interferon, GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-4 and other cytokines are species-specific and almost have no activity on non-homologous cells.
e. In contrast, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and neurotrophin are highly conserved and both have good activity on cells of different species.
What is the general preservative? Which kind of preservative do you usually add?
What is the general protectant? What kind of protectant do you usually add?
Can’t Find What You’re Looking For? We can help you source the best match or customize a recombinant protein solution for your study. Options may include species (human/mouse/rat), protein region/domain (full-length vs fragment), tag or label (His/GST/FLAG/biotin/fluorescent), expression system (E. coli/HEK293/insect), purity grade, formulation (buffer, carrier-free, glycerol-free), activity/functional validation (binding or enzymatic assays), endotoxin level (low-endotoxin for cell-based work), mutants/variants (point mutations, isoforms), and bulk or custom packaging. Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request form, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support. Our team will be in contact with you shortly.
