Snf1 protein kinase: a key player in the response to cellular stress in yeast

Sucrose non-fermenting 1 (Snf1) protein kinase, a yeast homologue of mammalian AMP-activated protein kinase, plays a main role in transcriptional activation and repression of gene expression. In addition, Snf1 kinase has a broad role in the cellular response to several forms of stress, such as nutrient limitation, salt stress and heat shock.