title: Akt-dependent transformation: there is more to growth than just surviving.
abstract: Activation of the Akt/PKB protein kinase family triggers increases in cell size, metabolism and survival. Akt coordinately regulates these fundamental cellular processes through phosphorylation-dependent inactivation of tumor suppressors and activation of trophic signaling. Akt signaling stimulates transport and metabolism of both glucose and amino acids, which in turn support mTOR-dependent increases in protein translation. In addition, Akt activation directs cells to undertake a metabolic conversion from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Although this conversion promotes cell growth, it also renders cell survival dependent on a continuous supply of extracellular nutrients, which themselves are required regulatory elements in Akt signal transduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genome Science, The Genome Research Institute, University of Cincinnati, OH 45237, USA. plasd@uc.edu
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Plas
authors.forename: Craig B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D049108:Cell Enlargement; D002470:Cell Survival; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D006019:Glycolysis; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt