AK1 (adenylate kinase 1) is a phosphotransferase that catalyzes the reversible transfer of the terminal phosphate group between ATP and AMP, producing two ADP molecules 1. The enzyme also displays broad nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity and plays a critical role in cellular energy homeostasis and adenine nucleotide metabolism 2. AK1 belongs to a family of nine human adenylate kinase isoenzymes that regulate adenine nucleotide ratios in different intracellular compartments 2. The enzyme contains a central CORE region, nucleoside monophosphate and triphosphate binding domains, and a LID domain, with substrate specificity primarily for AMP and ATP 3. Clinically, AK1 has significant disease relevance. High AK1 expression predicts inferior prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing chemotherapy, suggesting it functions as an independent unfavorable prognostic factor 4. During colorectal polyp formation, AK1 downregulation correlates with metabolic reprogramming and appears relevant to colorectal cancer development 5. AK1 dysregulation has also been implicated in hemolytic anemia and other metabolic disorders 3. Recent studies identify dinucleoside polyphosphates as potential AK1 inhibitors, with some compounds showing IC50 values below 1 µM, suggesting therapeutic development opportunities 1. These findings support AK1's potential as both a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for malignancies and metabolic diseases.