SBK1, or SH3 domain binding kinase 1, is a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the new kinase family (NFK). It has been implicated in multiple biological processes such as memory formation, lipid metabolism, and cancer cell progression [1,2,3]. In lipid metabolism, it may be involved in pathways related to hepatic lipid handling and insulin sensitivity, potentially through the Nur77-FGF21 pathway [2].

In mouse models, liver-specific SBK1 knockout (Lsko) mice showed more severe hepatosteatosis, higher expression of genes in fatty acid (FA) uptake and lipogenesis, hyperglycemia, poor systemic glucose tolerance, and lower insulin sensitivity when fed a high-fat diet (HFD) compared to control mice. This indicates that SBK1 plays a protective role against hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in the context of obesity [2]. In cervical cancer cell models, SBK1 knockdown suppressed the proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities of cells and enhanced apoptosis, while over-expression led to the opposite effects, suggesting its role in cervical tumorigenesis via activating the Wnt/β-catenin and Raf/ERK1/2 pathways [4].

In conclusion, SBK1 is a multifunctional kinase. Its role in lipid metabolism and cancer progression has been demonstrated through model-based research, especially mouse knockout models. These models have provided insights into its function in hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and cervical cancer, which may contribute to understanding the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies.