Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Temporal Tracking of Cell Cycle Progression Using Flow Cytometry without the Need for Synchronization
08:52

Temporal Tracking of Cell Cycle Progression Using Flow Cytometry without the Need for Synchronization

Published on: August 16, 2015

Vanadate activated Akt and promoted S phase entry

Zhuo Zhang1, Ning Gao, Hengjun He

  • 1Pathology and Physiology Research Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|February 20, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Vanadate treatment promotes cell cycle progression by activating Akt (protein kinase B). This pathway involves the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and transcription factor E2F1, driving cells into S phase.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) regulate cell growth, survival, and metabolism.
  • Akt influences transcription and translation, impacting cell proliferation.
  • Transcription factor E2F is a key regulator of cell cycle progression, particularly the G1 to S phase transition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Akt in vanadate-induced cell cycle progression.
  • To elucidate the involvement of the E2F-pRb pathway in vanadate-mediated S phase entry.

Main Methods:

  • Vanadate treatment of C141 cells.
  • Analysis of cell cycle distribution (S phase percentage).
  • Measurement of cyclin E, cyclin A, pRb phosphorylation, and E2F1 release.
  • Assessment of Akt kinase activity and phosphorylation.
  • Inhibition of Akt using chemical inhibitors and dominant-negative mutants.

Main Results:

  • Vanadate increased S phase percentage, cyclin E, and cyclin A expression.
  • Vanadate induced pRb phosphorylation and E2F1 release.
  • Vanadate enhanced Akt kinase activity and phosphorylation.
  • Akt inhibition abrogated vanadate-induced S phase entry and reduced cyclin E, E2F1, and pRb phosphorylation.

Conclusions:

  • Akt plays a critical role in vanadate-induced cell proliferation.
  • The Akt-mediated pathway facilitates G1 to S phase transition via the E2F-pRb axis.

More Related Videos

Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols12:02

Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols

Published on: June 6, 2017

Related Concept Videos

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
Anaphase Promoting Complex00:50

Anaphase Promoting Complex

The stepwise destruction of specific proteins is necessary for the progression and completion of the cell cycle. Such proteins are ubiquitinated by ubiquitin ligases and then subsequently destroyed by the proteasome. The SCF (Skp1/Cullin/F-box) and the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) are two important ubiquitin ligases involved in cell cycle progression. While SCF is active throughout the cell cycle, APC gets activated during metaphase to anaphase transition. Cdc20 or Cdh1 binds to APC and...
Anaphase Promoting Complex00:50

Anaphase Promoting Complex

The stepwise destruction of specific proteins is necessary for the progression and completion of the cell cycle. Such proteins are ubiquitinated by ubiquitin ligases and then subsequently destroyed by the proteasome. The SCF (Skp1/Cullin/F-box) and the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) are two important ubiquitin ligases involved in cell cycle progression. While SCF is active throughout the cell cycle, APC gets activated during metaphase to anaphase transition. Cdc20 or Cdh1 binds to APC and...
Positive Regulator Molecules02:39

Positive Regulator Molecules

Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
Positive Regulator Molecules01:45

Positive Regulator Molecules

To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.