Related Experiment Videos

PI3 kinases in cancer: from oncogene artifact to leading cancer target

Jean J Zhao1, Thomas M Roberts

  • 1Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Science'S STKE : Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment
|December 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Class IA phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are crucial in cell signaling and cancer. Further research is needed to differentiate PI3K isoform roles for effective cancer therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Lipid kinase activity associated with viral oncoproteins was initially mistaken for a purification artifact.
  • Class IA phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are now recognized as key regulators of cellular signaling pathways.
  • The PI3K pathway is frequently dysregulated in human tumors, making it a target for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significance of PI3K pathway in cell signaling and cancer.
  • To emphasize the need for further investigation into PI3K signaling pathways for therapeutic development.
  • To underscore the importance of distinguishing the roles of different class 1A PI3K isoforms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical discoveries and subsequent research on PI3Ks.
  • Analysis of the role of PI3K pathway in cell proliferation, motility, survival, and apoptosis.
  • Discussion of genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to PI3K pathway activation in cancer.

Main Results:

  • PI3Ks are critical regulators of fundamental cellular processes.
  • Aberrant PI3K pathway activation is common in human cancers.
  • Small molecule inhibitors targeting PI3K are under active pharmaceutical development.

Conclusions:

  • The PI3K pathway's involvement in normal physiology necessitates careful therapeutic strategies.
  • Dissecting the specific roles of class 1A PI3K isoforms is crucial for advancing cancer treatment.
  • Understanding isoform-specific functions will guide the development of targeted PI3K therapies.

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...