Forkhead transcription factors: new insights into protein kinase B (c-akt) signaling

J Mol Med (Berl). 1999 Sep;77(9):656-65. doi: 10.1007/s001099900050.

Abstract

The proto-oncogene protein kinase B (PKB), also known as c-Akt, is a central player in a signaling pathway of which many components have been linked to tumorigenesis. Active forms of PKB as well as of its upstream activator phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) have been found to be responsible for the transforming activities of certain viruses, and the negative regulator of this pathway, PTEN, is a tumor suppressor. The identification of particular downstream targets of PKB has provided us with new insights into the possible mechanism of PI3K/PKB-mediated tumorigenicity. Recently a subfamily of Forkhead transcription factors was identified as additional targets for PI3K/PKB signaling. This review discusses the studies that have led to this conclusion and the possible implications of this finding for our understanding of how PI3K/PKB activity could lead to oncogenesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • AKT1 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt