Akt scaffold proteins: the key to controlling specificity of Akt signaling

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway plays an essential role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Akt kinase is at the center of this signaling pathway and interacts with a variety of proteins. Akt is overexpressed in almost 80% of tumors. However, inhibiting Akt has serious clinical side effects so is not a suitable treatment for cancer. During recent years, Akt scaffold proteins have received increasing attention for their ability to regulate Akt signaling and have emerged as potential targets for cancer therapy. In this paper, we categorize Akt kinase scaffold proteins into four groups based on their cellular location: membrane-bound activator and inhibitor, cytoplasm, and endosome. We describe how these scaffolds interact with Akt kinase, how they affect Akt activity, and how they regulate the specificity of Akt signaling. We also discuss the clinical application of Akt scaffold proteins as targets for cancer therapy.

Automated summary

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway is crucial in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, with Akt kinase being a central player. Although Akt is frequently overexpressed in tumors, inhibiting it has significant clinical side effects, making it unsuitable for cancer treatment. Recent focus has shifted to Akt scaffold proteins as potential targets for cancer therapy, as they play a role in regulating Akt signaling specificity.