What is the Origin of Akt Signaling?

The term Akt is an acronym for Protein Kinase B (PKB), but it was initially named after the oncogene found in the AKR mouse T-cell lymphoma virus. The overall signaling cascade is named after its key components: Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt (or PKB), and the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR). Understanding this intricate network is central to endocrinology and cellular longevity research.

What is the Mechanism of Akt Signaling?

Activation begins when growth factors or hormones, such as insulin or IGF-1, bind to their respective cell surface receptors, triggering the activation of PI3K. PI3K then generates the lipid second messenger PIP3, which recruits Akt to the plasma membrane. Once localized, Akt is phosphorylated by upstream kinases, becoming active and subsequently phosphorylating numerous downstream targets like mTOR. This activation ultimately drives metabolic shifts, promotes protein synthesis, and inhibits apoptosis, mediating the cellular response to external endocrine cues.

Akt Signaling

Meaning

The Akt signaling pathway, also known as the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, is a critical intracellular signaling cascade that regulates fundamental cellular processes. This pathway is deeply involved in cell survival, proliferation, growth, metabolism, and angiogenesis. Dysregulation of Akt signaling is frequently observed in various pathologies, including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and several types of cancer.

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