title: Emerging role of protein kinase B/Akt signaling in pancreatic beta-cell mass and function.
abstract: The serine-threonine kinase Akt also known as protein kinase B is one of the most studied molecules. In addition to the important role in carcinogenesis, Akt is a major regulator of carbohydrate metabolism. Akt mediates insulin-dependent glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive tissues. Recent evidence underscores the importance of Akt for regulation of beta-cell mass and function. This review summarizes current findings concerning the molecular mechanisms, downstream signaling pathways, and critical components involved in regulation of beta-cell mass and function by Akt. The results of these observations suggest that elucidation of critical downstream effectors of this signaling pathway could generate promising molecules as a potential target to induce proliferation and survival of beta-cells.
authors.affiliation: Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elghazi
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balcazar
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bernal-Mizrachi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt