AKT signaling in normal and malignant cells.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cellular Signaling
• Oncology

Background:

• AKT/protein kinase B (PKB) is a central signaling pathway regulating cell proliferation, survival, metabolism, motility, and angiogenesis.
• Dysregulation of AKT signaling is a hallmark of many human cancers, involving aberrant activation or inactivation of pathway components.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge on the AKT pathway's normal functions and its role in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the AKT signaling pathway.
• To discuss the implications of AKT pathway alterations in cancer development and progression.
• To highlight current therapeutic strategies targeting the AKT pathway.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and research articles on AKT signaling.
• Synthesis of findings from multiple expert perspectives.
• Focus on cellular functions, tumorigenesis, and therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

• AKT pathway deregulation is implicated in various cancers, affecting key cellular processes.
• Specific AKT components and their substrates play critical roles in metabolism, transcription, translation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
• Alterations in AKT signaling are linked to hereditary cancer syndromes and observed in murine cancer models.

Conclusions:

• The AKT pathway is a critical regulator of cellular processes, and its aberrant activation is a significant driver of cancer.
• Understanding AKT pathway components and their interactions is crucial for cancer therapy.
• Development of selective AKT inhibitors represents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.