Using isoform-specific inhibitors to target lipid kinases.
In this issue of Cell, Knight et al. (2006) present a detailed pharmacological analysis of the PI3 kinase (PI3-K) family using small molecule inhibitors. They conclude that p110alpha, a PI3-K isoform, has a critical role in insulin signaling. In a related Cancer Cell paper, Fan et al. (2006) show that blocking activation of both p110alpha and the kinase mTOR with a small molecule inhibitor limits the growth of gliomas.
Simon
Julian A
JA
Clinical Research and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, D2-100, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. jsimon@fhcrc.org
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D007328:Insulin; D007527:Isoenzymes; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D021122:Protein Subunits