title: PI3K Signaling in Tissue Hyper-Proliferation: From Overgrowth Syndromes to Kidney Cysts.
abstract: The members of the PhosphoInositide-3 Kinase (PI3K) protein family are well-known regulators of proliferative signals. By the generation of lipid second messengers, they mediate the activation of AKT/PKB (AKT) and mammalian Target Of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Although mutations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway are highly characterized in cancer, recent evidence indicates that alterations in the proliferative signals are major drivers of other diseases such as overgrowth disorders and polycystic kidney disease. In this review, we briefly summarize the role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in cell proliferation by comparing the effect of alterations in PI3K enzymes in different tissues. In particular, we discuss the most recent findings on how the same pathway may lead to different biological effects, due to the convergence and cooperation of different signaling cascades.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy. mariachiara.desantis@unito.it.
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy. valentina.sala@unito.it.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy. miriam.martini@unito.it.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy. giovannibattista.ferrero@unito.it.
authors.forename: Giovanni Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy. emilio.hirsch@unito.it.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hirsch
keywords: PI3K; mTOR; overgrowth syndrome; polycystic kidney disease; proliferation