Mechanisms and consequences of activation of protein kinase B/Akt.
Protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt is a growth-factor-regulated serine/threonine kinase which contains a pleckstrin homology domain. Binding of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase products to the pleckstrin homology domain results in translocation of PKB/Akt to the plasma membrane where it is activated by phosphorylation by upstream kinases including the phosphoinoside-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). Activated PKB/Akt provides a survival signal that protects cells from apoptosis induced by various stresses, and also mediates a number of metabolic effects of insulin.
Downward
J
J
Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, UK. downward@icrf.icnet.uk
D000818:Animals; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
D006133:Growth Substances; D007328:Insulin; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C494918:AKT1 protein, human; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt