The serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in regulating cellular responses to stress, ion transport, and cell survival. Initially identified as a glucocorticoid-responsive gene, SGK1 is activated by diverse stimuli, including hormones (e.g., insulin, glucocorticoids), osmotic stress, and growth factors, primarily through the PI3K/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways. It phosphorylates downstream targets such as ion channels (e.g., ENaC), transporters, and transcription factors, modulating processes like sodium homeostasis, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Dysregulation of SGK1 has been implicated in metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), cancer progression, and neurodegenerative diseases.
SGK1 antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and activation in biological samples. These antibodies are commonly validated in applications like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to detect SGK1 isoforms (∼50 kDa) and phosphorylated forms (e.g., at Thr369/Ser422). Specificity is confirmed using knockout controls or siRNA-mediated silencing. Commercial SGK1 antibodies are often raised against epitopes in the N-terminal or kinase domains. Researchers use them to explore SGK1's role in disease mechanisms, drug responses, or cellular pathways, particularly in contexts like renal function, tumor survival, and immune regulation. Reliable SGK1 antibodies are critical for elucidating its complex signaling network and therapeutic potential.