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Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
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Published on: January 7, 2013

Activation of Akt2 Inhibits anoikis and apoptosis induced by myogenic differentiation

Y Fujio1, Y Mitsuuchi, J R Testa

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Research, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135, USA.

Cell Death and Differentiation
|December 26, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Akt2 (a protein kinase) promotes cell survival during differentiation. Upregulated Akt2 confers resistance to apoptosis, suggesting a role in cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Akt1's anti-apoptotic role is known, but Akt2's function in cell survival is unclear.
  • Akt2 is amplified in ovarian and pancreatic cancers, hinting at its oncogenic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Akt2 in cellular survival during differentiation.
  • To determine if Akt2 confers resistance to apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Studied Akt2 expression (mRNA, protein, kinase activity) during C2C12 cell differentiation.
  • Used transient transfection and adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to manipulate Akt2 activity.
  • Assessed apoptosis resistance under various conditions, including serum deprivation and cell detachment.

Main Results:

  • Akt2 expression and activity increased during serum deprivation-induced myogenic differentiation.
  • Overexpression of wild-type and constitutively-active Akt2 protected differentiating cells from apoptosis.
  • Kinase-inactive Akt2 did not confer apoptosis resistance.
  • Akt2 protected cells from apoptosis induced by cell detachment.

Conclusions:

  • Akt2 acts as an anti-apoptotic gene during cellular differentiation.
  • Its anti-apoptotic function may contribute to its oncogenic properties in cancer.

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