Increased expression of Akt2 and activity of PI3K and cell proliferation with the ascending of tumor grade of human gliomas.
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression of Akt2 and activation of PI3K in different grades of human gliomas and correlate the Akt2 expression with the proliferation activity of gliomas.


METHODS
Akt2 expression and PI3K activity were examined in 48 different grades of human glioma specimens and six normal brain tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The proliferation activity of tumors was evaluated by Ki-67 nuclear antigen labeling index (Ki-67 LI) using immunostaining.


RESULTS
In contrast to the normal brain tissues, Akt2 expression and PI3K activity were greatly increased with the ascending of tumor grade and correlated positively with the proliferation activity of gliomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Akt2 may play a critical role in the development of gliomas and present a potential therapeutic target for malignant gliomas.
Wang
Guangxiu
G
Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, 154# An Shan Road, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China.
Kang
Chunsheng
C
Pu
Peiyu
P
D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005910:Glioma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*
D000199:Actins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; C494921:AKT2 protein, human; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt