Serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (SGK) is a serine/threonine kinase closely related to Akt. SGK is rapidly induced in response to a variety of stimuli, including serum, glucocorticoid, follicle stimulating hormone, osmotic shock, and mineralocorticoids. SGK activation can be accomplished via HGF PI3K-dependent pathways and by integrin-mediated PI3K-independent pathways. Induction and activation of SGK has been implicated in activating the modulation of anti-apoptotic and cell cycle regulation. SGK also plays an important role in activating certain potassium, sodium, and chloride channels, suggesting its involvement in the regulation of processes such as cell survival, neuronal excitability, and renal sodium excretion. SGK is negatively regulated by ubiquitination and proteasome degradation.In addition to its membrane channel and carrier functions, SGK1 also regulates a broad range of targets, such as GSK-3, NEDD4, iNOS, AMPAR, PSD95, Tau, NF-κB, CREB, and FKHR-L1.
