Upstreaming and Downstreaming Regulators and Associated Signaling Transduction Pathways of AKT/PKB: A Molecular Gateway to Progressive Carcinoma

Abstract

AKT or Protein Kinase B, the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase, is found in three analogous isoforms in cells of human and animal bodies. AKT is regulated and activated via various upstream regulators including GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor), RTK (Receptor tyrosine kinase), SYK (spleen tyrosine kinase), JAK (Janus kinase), and RAS lead to the further activation of multiple coordinated downstream cascades. The dysregulation of these pathways affects the cell cycle and cell proliferation, resulting in the development of carcinoma. Therefore, the study aimed with the objectives to explore all the major upstreaming and downstreaming regulators and associated signaling transduction pathways of AKT as an approach for further detailed studies or clinical management of tumors or cancers via targeted protein-based drug developments.