Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
08:49

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

16.8K

Computational Modeling of PI3K/AKT and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Melanoma Cancer

Francesco Pappalardo1, Giulia Russo1, Saverio Candido2

  • 1Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy.

Plos One
|March 26, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study introduces a computational model to simulate key pathways in melanoma development. This approach aims to accelerate drug discovery for novel anti-cancer compounds to combat treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Computational biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Malignant melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer resistant to current therapies.
  • Melanoma development involves genetic alterations activating the MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.
  • B-RAF mutations activate the MAPK pathway, promoting cell cycle progression and preventing apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a computational model simulating biochemical and metabolic interactions in melanoma-related signaling pathways.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets within the MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways.
  • To accelerate the discovery of novel anti-cancer compounds for melanoma treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a computational model to simulate PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of biochemical and metabolic interactions within these pathways relevant to melanoma.
  • Utilizing computational simulation to explore pathway dynamics.

Main Results:

  • A computational model was successfully developed to simulate key interactions in the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways.
  • The model provides a platform for understanding melanoma development at a molecular level.
  • The source code for the model is available for further research.

Conclusions:

  • Computational modeling offers a promising approach to accelerate drug discovery for melanoma.
  • The developed model can aid in identifying novel pathway activators and anti-cancer compounds.
  • This strategy may help overcome tumor cell resistance to conventional therapies.

More Related Videos

A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis07:41

A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis

Published on: March 8, 2022

3.0K
Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells06:09

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

9.7K

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...
6.2K
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...
7.9K
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...
5.0K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

1.6K
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
9.1K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
13.8K