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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Analysis of the c-KIT Ligand Promoter Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
09:40

Analysis of the c-KIT Ligand Promoter Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation

Published on: June 27, 2017

Molecular cloning and characterization of the human AKT1 promoter uncovers its up-regulation by the Src/Stat3 pathway

Sungman Park1, Donghwa Kim, Satoshi Kaneko

  • 1Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|September 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The Src/Stat3 pathway up-regulates AKT1 (protein kinase B alpha) expression in cancer. AKT1 is a direct target gene of Stat3, contributing to its anti-apoptotic function.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Signal Transduction

Background:

  • Protein kinase B (PKB) alpha, or Akt1, is frequently activated in human cancers.
  • Akt1 plays a role in numerous cellular processes through phosphorylation of downstream molecules.
  • The transcriptional regulation of Akt1 has not been previously documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize the human AKT1 promoter.
  • To investigate the transcriptional regulation of AKT1 by the Src/Stat3 pathway.
  • To determine if AKT1 is a direct target gene of Stat3.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of the human AKT1 promoter.
  • Analysis of AKT1 mRNA and protein levels in response to Stat3 and v-Src.
  • Gene knockdown studies targeting Stat3.
  • Reporter assays to assess promoter activity.
  • Functional rescue experiments in Stat3-deficient cells.

Main Results:

  • Transcriptional up-regulation of AKT1 by the Src/Stat3 pathway was demonstrated.
  • AKT1 protein and mRNA levels were elevated in cells with active Stat3 or v-Src.
  • Stat3 response elements were identified within exon 1 and intron 1 of the AKT1 gene.
  • AKT1 was confirmed as a direct target gene of Stat3.
  • AKT1 expression largely rescued serum starvation-induced cell death in Stat3(-/-) MEF cells.

Conclusions:

  • The human AKT1 promoter includes exon 1 and intron 1, in addition to the upstream sequence.
  • AKT1 is transcriptionally regulated by the Src/Stat3 pathway.
  • AKT1 is a direct target gene of Stat3 and contributes to Stat3's anti-apoptotic function.

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