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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

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...

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Intracellular Phosphoflow Cytometry of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenotransplants
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AMPK: a contextual oncogene or tumor suppressor?

Jiyong Liang1, Gordon B Mills

  • 1Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jyliang@mdanderson.org

Cancer Research
|May 7, 2013
PubMed
Summary

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a dual role in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter. Clarifying its function is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies targeting AMPK.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is vital for cellular energy homeostasis.
  • Historically viewed as a tumor suppressor via the LKB1/STK11 pathway.
  • Recent findings suggest AMPK promotes cancer cell survival under stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex role of AMPK in cancer.
  • To explore AMPK's function in cancer cell adaptation to microenvironment stress.
  • To discuss the implications for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on AMPK's role in cancer.
  • Analysis of studies on AMPK in cellular stress response.
  • Examination of AMPK's involvement in oncogenic transformation.

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Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

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Published on: June 6, 2025

Oncogene Expression Analysis with Alterations in pH in a Pancreatic Ductal Cell Line
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Oncogene Expression Analysis with Alterations in pH in a Pancreatic Ductal Cell Line

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06:51

Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

Published on: July 21, 2018

Main Results:

  • AMPK's role in cancer is context-dependent, acting as both suppressor and promoter.
  • AMPK is essential for cancer cell survival against various stressors.
  • Evidence supports AMPK's requirement for oncogenic transformation.

Conclusions:

  • The dual role of AMPK in cancer necessitates further investigation.
  • Targeting AMPK for activation or inhibition in cancer therapy remains controversial.
  • Understanding AMPK's function is critical for optimizing cancer treatment strategies.