PI3K Akt Signaling Pathway

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the PI3K Akt signaling pathway, including important proteins, mechanisms, and effects.

PI3K Akt Signaling Pathway

A complex signaling network involving various activators, inhibitors, effectors, and second messengers.

Phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)

An enzyme that initiates the PI3K Akt signaling pathway and can be activated by receptor tyrosine kinases or GTP-bound Ras.

Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1)

A protein that binds to activated IGF1 receptors to serve as a binding site for PI3K activation.

Phosphoinositol 345 trisphosphate (PIP3)

A second messenger formed in the pathway that activates Akt.

Akt (Protein Kinase B)

A serine/threonine kinase activated by PIP3 that has various downstream effects, including inhibition of apoptosis.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that can be inhibited by Akt through its action on Bcl-2 family proteins.

mTOR (mammalian Target of Rapamycin)

A protein kinase activated by Akt that regulates protein synthesis and cell growth.

Ubiquitin ligase

An enzyme that attaches ubiquitin to proteins, marking them for degradation, such as in the destruction of the tumor suppressor protein Foxo.