Adaptor or scaffolding proteins are at the basis of multiprotein complexes that spatially and temporally co-ordinate the propagation and integration of a broad range of cellular events. One class of scaffolding proteins are AKAPs (A-kinase-anchoring proteins). They sequester PKA (protein kinase A) and other signalling molecules including phosphodiesterases, other protein kinases and protein phosphatases to specific subcellular compartments. AKAP-dependent protein–protein interactions play a role in many physiologically relevant processes. For example, AKAP–PKA interactions are essential for the vasopressin-mediated water re-absorption in renal collecting duct principal cells or β-adrenoceptor-induced increases in cardiac myocyte contractility. Here, we discuss recently developed peptide disruptors of AKAP–PKA interactions. Such peptides are valuable tools to study the relevance of PKA anchoring in cellular processes.