PI3K/AKT Signaling

Pathway

Pathway Description

Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinases (PI3K) are a family of lipid kinases whose inositol lipid products play a central role in signal transduction pathways of cytokines, growth factors and other extracellular matrix proteins. PI3Ks are divided into three classes: Class I, II and III with Class I being the best studied one. It is a heterodimer consisting of a catalytic and regulatory subunit. These are most commonly found to be p110 and p85. Phosphorylation of phosphoinositide(4,5)bisphosphate (PIP2) by Class I PI3K generates PtdIns(3,4,5)P3.The different PI3ks are involved in a variety of signaling pathways. This is mediated through their interaction with molecules like the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the adapter molecules GAB1-GRB2, and the kinase JAK. These converge to activate PDK1 which then phosphorylates AKT. AKT follows two distinct paths: 1) Inhibitory role - for example, AKT inhibits apoptosis by phosphorylating the Bad component of the Bad/Bcl-XL complex, allowing for cell survival. 2) Activating role - AKT activates IKK leading to NF-κB activation and cell survival. By its inhibitory as well as activating role, AKT is involved in numerous cellular processes like energy storage, cell cycle progression, protein synthesis and angiogenesis.

Genelist

Explore Genes related to PI3K/AKT Signaling