The conserved PI3'K/PTEN/Akt signaling pathway regulates both cell size and survival in Drosophila

Oncogene. 2000 Aug 17;19(35):3971-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203739.

Abstract

Akt (or PKB) is an oncogene involved in the regulation of cell survival. Akt is regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI3'K) signaling and has shown to be hyperactivated through the loss of the PTEN tumor suppressor. In Drosophila, insulin signaling as studied using the Drosophila IRS-4 homolog (Chico) has been shown to be a crucial regulator of cell size. We have studied Drosophila Akt (Dakt1) and have shown that it is also involved in the regulation of cell size. Furthermore we have performed genetic epistasis tests to demonstrate that in Drosophila, PI3'K, PTEN and Akt comprise a signaling cassette that is utilized during multiple stages of development. In addition, we show that this signaling cassette is also involved in the regulation of cell survival during embryogenesis. This study therefore establishes the evolutionary conservation of this signaling pathway in Drosophila. Oncogene (2000) 19, 3971 - 3977.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Size
  • Cell Survival
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Epistasis, Genetic
  • Eye / embryology
  • Female
  • Genes, Insect
  • Insect Proteins / physiology*
  • Insulin / physiology*
  • Male
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / physiology*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / physiology
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / genetics
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / physiology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Insulin
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Akt1 protein, Drosophila
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase