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Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Published on: August 23, 2024
PI3K and AKT at the Interface of Signaling and Metabolism
Giovanni Solinas1, Barbara Becattini2
1The Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Göteborg, Sweden. giovanni.solinas@wlab.gu.se.
Abstract:
The PI3K/AKT signaling module is recruited by several receptors implicated in maintaining tissue and metabolic homeostasis and signaling pathways controlling immune responses. Constitutive activation of PI3K/AKT signaling leads to tissue overgrowth and is frequently observed in cancer cells, whereas reduced PI3K/AKT signaling is associated with diabetes and growth defects. Thus, a critical roadblock to effective PI3K-targeted therapy comes from the crucial role of PI3K/AKT signaling in systemic metabolic homeostasis. This chapter describes the role of PI3K/AKT in insulin signaling and metabolic homeostasis and the interplay between insulin action and metabolic feedback loops that cause resistance to PI3K-targeted therapies. Furthermore, we provide examples of insulin-independent roles for PI3K/AKT in metabolic homeostasis, and some generalizations on the action of PI3K/AKT signaling at the interface of signaling and metabolism are derived. Finally, the specific roles for different class I PI3K isoforms in controlling systemic metabolic homeostasis and energy balance are discussed. We conclude that defining the functional specificities and redundancies of different class I PI3K isoforms in pathways driving disease and controlling metabolic homeostasis is fundamental to develop novel PI3K-targeted therapies.
Insights
The PI3K/AKT pathway is crucial for metabolic homeostasis and immune responses. Understanding its specific roles and isoform functions is key to developing effective PI3K-targeted therapies for diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Metabolic Signaling
Background:
- The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway regulates tissue and metabolic homeostasis, as well as immune responses.
- Aberrant PI3K/AKT signaling is linked to cancer, diabetes, and growth defects, highlighting its critical role in health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of PI3K/AKT signaling in insulin signaling and metabolic homeostasis.
- To explore the interplay between insulin action, metabolic feedback loops, and resistance to PI3K-targeted therapies.
- To investigate insulin-independent roles and isoform-specific functions of PI3K/AKT in metabolic regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on PI3K/AKT signaling.
- Analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying PI3K/AKT's involvement in metabolic homeostasis.
- Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting PI3K/AKT pathways.
Main Results:
- PI3K/AKT signaling is integral to insulin action and metabolic homeostasis.
- Metabolic feedback loops can induce resistance to PI3K-targeted therapies.
- PI3K/AKT exhibits both insulin-dependent and independent roles in metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Defining the specific functions and redundancies of PI3K isoforms is essential for developing novel PI3K-targeted therapies.
- Targeting PI3K/AKT requires careful consideration of its broad roles in systemic metabolism to avoid adverse effects.
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