  We study the prompt photon hadroproduction at the LHC with the
$k_T$-factorization approach and the $qg^* \to q\gamma$ and $g^*g^* \to q\bar
q\gamma$ partonic channels, using three unintegrated gluon distributions which
depend on gluon transverse momentum. They represent three different theoretical
schemes which are usually considered in the $k_T$-factorization approach, known
under the acronyms: KMR, CCFM and GBW gluon distributions. We find sensitivity
of the calculated prompt photon transverse momentum distribution to the gluon
transverse momentum distribution. The predictions obtained with the three
approaches are compared to data, that allows to differentiate between them. We
also discuss the significance of the two partonic channels, confronted with the
expectations which are based on the applicability of the $k_T$-factorization
scheme in the high energy approximation.
