PI3K-AKT-mTOR Pathway

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.

PI3K

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase, an enzyme that plays a key role in cell signaling and activates AKT.

AKT

A serine/threonine kinase that is activated by PI3K, leading to the activation of mTOR.

mTOR

Mammalian target of rapamycin, a central regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and survival.

Cell Cycle Progression

The process by which a cell goes through a series of stages leading to its division and replication.

Apoptosis

The process of programmed cell death that mTOR activation inhibits for promoting cell survival.

Dimerization

The process where two receptor proteins join together, leading to their activation.

Phosphorylation

A biochemical process that involves the addition of a phosphate group to a protein, often regulating its activity.

Growth Factors

Proteins that stimulate cell proliferation and survival by binding to specific receptors on cell membranes.

PIP2

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, a membrane protein that is converted to PIP3 by PI3K.

PIP3

Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, an important signaling lipid that activates AKT.

Tumor Suppressor Gene

A gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer; p10 is an example.

Anabolism

The metabolic process that builds molecules from smaller units, contributing to cell growth and development.

Crosstalk

Interactions between different signaling pathways in the cell that can influence cellular responses.