Overview:

LKB1(STK11) is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family which regulates cell polarity and functions as a tumor suppressor. STK11 is a critical barrier to pulmonary tumorigenesis which controlling initiation, differentiation, and metastasis. STK11 plays a central role in restricting HSC entry into cell cycle and in broadly maintaining energy homeostasis in hematopoietic cells through a novel metabolic checkpoint (1). STK11 serves as an essential regulator of HSCs and hematopoiesis, and more generally, points to the critical importance of coupling energy metabolism and stem cell homeostasis (2).

References:

1. Gurumurthy, S. et.al: The Lkb1 metabolic sensor maintains haematopoietic stem cell survival. Nature 468: 659-663, 2010. Note: Erratum: Nature 476: 114 only, 2011.

2. Gan, B.et.al: Lkb1 regulates quiescence and metabolic homeostasis of haematopoietic stem cells. Nature 468: 701-704, 2010.