Unravelling the activation mechanisms of protein kinase B/Akt.
Over the past decade, protein kinase B (PKB, also termed Akt) has emerged as an important signaling mediator between extracellular cues and modulation of gene expression, metabolism, and cell survival. The enzyme is tightly controlled and consequences of its deregulation include loss of growth control and oncogenesis. Recent work has better characterized the mechanism of PKB activation, including upstream regulators and secondary binding partners. This minireview refreshes some old concepts with new twists and highlights current outstanding questions.
Scheid
Michael P
MP
Ontario Cancer Institute, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 2M9.
Woodgett
James R
JR
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D015398:Signal Transduction
D007527:Isoenzymes; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; C494918:AKT1 protein, human