AKT1

AKT1 (protein kinase B α) is a serine/threonine kinase that integrates insulin and growth-factor signals into commands for metabolism, proliferation, and survival.

Function

PI3K converts the membrane lipid PIP2 to PIP3; AKT docks at PIP3 through its PH domain and is activated by phosphorylation at two sites (Thr308 by PDK1, Ser473 by mTORC2). Active AKT then phosphorylates a broad substrate set with a shared theme: keep the cell alive and growing. It inactivates the pro-apoptotic proteins BAD and FOXO, drives protein synthesis by inhibiting TSC2 and thereby activating mTOR, and moves glucose transporters to the membrane in response to insulin. PTEN opposes the whole route