RIG: Akt review in Cell

08/04/2007 16:03
Akt (PKB) is a serine kinase in the signaling pathway of insulin receptor. In the metabolic branch of the signaling pathway, Akt mediates insulin signal for GLUT4 translocation, glycogen synthesis (Through GSK-3) and protein synthesis (through mTOR/S6K). However, this is only a part of biological activities of Akt in cells. A recent review in Cell gives a nice update on molecules at up- and down-stream of Akt. By the way, a figure in "Cell Signaling" website is helpful to get a full picture of Akt activities. See attached PDF files.
 
        In the current issue of "Molecular Cell", a new study made a progress in the signaling pathway of FFA. It is known that FFA may induce insulin resistance by targeting IRS-1 in the insulin receptor pathway. This activity is dependent on activation of PKC-JNK kinase axis by FFA. However, the molecules linking PKC to JNK are not completely identified in the FFA pathway. This study shows that a kinase by name of MLK (mixed lineage kinase) mediates PKC signal for JNK activation. Knockout of MLK may reduce Ser307 phosphorylation in IRS-1. See attached PDF file.
 
by Jianping at PBRC

------------------------------------------------------          

Jianping Ye, MD
Professor of Molecular Biology
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Louisiana State University System
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225)763-3163
E-mail: yej@pbrc.edu
Webpage: http://labs.pbrc.edu/generegulation/index.htm     
|