Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

14.5K

A Deregulated PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Tao Zhang1, Yuanping Ma2, Jiansong Fang2

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University, No. 10 Hua Dong Road, Xingning District, Nanning, Guangxi, 530011, China. zhangtao41@aliyun.com.

Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer
|November 8, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study investigated gene alterations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC). Key genes were found to be deregulated, suggesting this pathway as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cell regulation.
  • Aberrant PI3K-AKT signaling is implicated in the development and progression of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC).
  • Molecular targets within this pathway offer potential therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively profile gene expression alterations within the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.
  • To identify specific genes and their expression patterns associated with CRC tumoral tissue compared to healthy controls.
  • To explore the potential of the PI3K-AKT pathway as a therapeutic target for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Gene expression profiling of 84 genes in the PI3K-AKT pathway using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array on tumoral and matched peritumoral tissues from 15 CRC patients.
  • Validation of array findings using real-time reverse transcription PCR for selected genes.
  • Confirmation of protein level changes for key genes using western blot (WB) analysis.

Main Results:

  • The PCR array identified 14 aberrantly expressed genes in CRC tumoral tissue, with 12 genes (e.g., CCND1, FOS, GSK3B) significantly upregulated and two genes (PDK1, PIK3CG) downregulated.
  • Real-time PCR validation confirmed the altered expression of CCND1, EIF4E, FOS, and PIK3CG.
  • Western blot analysis corroborated the upregulation of CCND1, EIF4E, FOS, and the downregulation of PIK3CG protein levels.

Conclusions:

  • The PI3K-AKT signaling pathway is significantly deregulated in colorectal cancer patients.
  • Identified gene alterations, particularly in CCND1, EIF4E, FOS, and PIK3CG, highlight the pathway's role in CRC pathogenesis.
  • The deregulated PI3K-AKT pathway presents potential therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Colorectal cancerPCR arrayPI3K-AKT signaling pathway

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.4K
A Multiplexed Luciferase-based Screening Platform for Interrogating Cancer-associated Signal Transduction in Cultured Cells10:13

A Multiplexed Luciferase-based Screening Platform for Interrogating Cancer-associated Signal Transduction in Cultured Cells

Published on: July 3, 2013

11.7K

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...
5.8K
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...
4.9K
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...
7.4K
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...
13.2K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
6.1K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.3K