PI3K

PI3K or Phosphoinositide 3-kinases are a family of enzymes involved in cellular functions such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, survival and intracellular trafficking, which in turn are involved in cancer. Most of these functions relate to the ability of class I PI3Ks to activate protein kinase B (PKB, aka Akt) as in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Structure

PI3Ks are a family of related intracellular signal transducer enzymes capable of phosphorylating the 3 position hydroxyl group of the inositol ring of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns). They are also known as phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases.

Function

The PI3Ks are involved in a wide array of cellular functions, including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, survival and intracellular trafficking. Many of these functions relate to the ability of class I PI3Ks to activate protein kinase B (PKB, aka Akt), as in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Role in Cancer

Alterations in this pathway are a necessary step for the development of cancer. In humans, PI3Ks have been linked to an extraordinarily diverse group of cellular functions, including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, survival and intracellular trafficking. Many of these functions relate to the ability of class I PI3Ks to activate protein kinase B (PKB, aka Akt), as in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

See Also

• PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
• Protein kinase B
• Phosphatidylinositol

References

PI3K Resources
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