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Published on: April 22, 2019

Overexpression and activation of Akt2 protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Anak Iamaroon1, Suttichai Krisanaprakornkit

  • 1Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

Oral Oncology
|July 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Aberrations in the PI3K/Akt pathway are linked to oral cancer. This study found that Akt2 and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) are overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), suggesting their role in cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Aberrations in the PI3K/Akt pathway are implicated in human carcinogenesis.
  • Targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway shows promise for novel oral cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of pan-Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), Akt1, and Akt2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) specimens.
  • To determine the mRNA and protein expression of Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3 in oral cancer cell lines and normal oral keratinocytes (HOKs).

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze protein expression in 20 OSCC specimens.
  • RT-PCR and Western blot assays were employed to assess mRNA and protein levels in oral cancer cell lines and HOKs.

Main Results:

  • Pan-Akt was expressed in 80% of OSCC cases; Akt1, Akt2, and p-Akt were expressed in all cases.
  • Intense p-Akt expression was observed at invasive fronts of some OSCC samples.
  • p-Akt and Akt2 were overexpressed in oral cancer cell lines compared to HOKs, with evidence of post-transcriptional regulation for Akt2.

Conclusions:

  • Akt2 and p-Akt are overexpressed in OSCC and may contribute to carcinogenesis.
  • Post-transcriptional modification of Akt2 might occur in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

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