PI3K/Akt and apoptosis: size matters

Recent research has examined Akt and Akt-related serine-threonine kinases in signaling cascades that regulate cell survival and are important in the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases and in cancer. We seek to recapitulate the research that has helped to define the current understanding of the role of the Akt pathway under normal and pathologic conditions, also in view of genetic models of Akt function. In particular, we will evaluate the mechanisms of Akt regulation and the role of Akt substrates in Akt-dependent biologic responses in the decisions of cell death and cell survival. Here, we hope to establish the mechanisms of apoptosis suppression by Akt kinase as a framework for a more general understanding of growth factor-dependent regulation of cell survival.     

PI3K/Akt抑制剂渥曼青霉素对白血病细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

Objective  

We studied the effects of Wortmannin (WM) on the proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia cells, and explore the possible mechanisms.     

Synergy between an IGF-1R antibody and Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors in suppressing IGF-1R-mediated growth in hematopoietic cells.

The Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is overexpressed in a variety of tumors including breast, prostate and myeloma. Thus, IGF-1R and its downstream signaling effectors are good candidates for molecular-based targeted antitumor therapies. Indeed, protein inhibitors of IGF-1R signaling and IGF-1R blocking antibodies are undergoing clinical trials. Herein, the molecular basis for antibody-mediated IGF-1R signal inhibition has been investigated in a hematopoietic cell line model, FDC-P1, that has been rendered interleukin-3 independent in a ligand-dependent manner through retroviral-mediated expression of IGF-1R (FD/IGF-1R). Furthermore, the ability of an anti-IGF-1R antibody to synergize with signal-transduction pathway inhibitors and induce apoptosis was determined. The alphaIGF-1R antibody, A12, was capable of arresting IGF-1 or insulin-induced FD/IGF-1R cell proliferation in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and resulted in apoptotic induction. A12 effectiveness could be potentiated through combination treatment with small molecule inhibitors of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK or PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. These results validate the use of the FD/IGF-1R cells to evaluate the effectiveness and mechanisms of targeted IGF-1R therapeutic strategies.     

PI3K/Akt通路与肿瘤治疗

磷酸肌醇3激酶/蛋白激酶B (phosphoinositide 3kinase /protein kinase B,PI3K/Akt)信号通路参与很多重要生物学过程的调控，但其过度激活可导致肿瘤的发生。在正常组织中PI3K/Akt信号转导途径处于活化状态，但是该通路如果被过度激活则可通过下调肿瘤抑制蛋白p53、刺激蛋     

PDK／Akt通路与肿瘤治疗

磷酸肌醇-3激酶／蛋白激酶B（phosphoinositide 3-kinase／protein kinaseB，P13K／Akt）信号通路参与很多重要生物学过程的调控，但其过度激活可导致肿瘤的发生。在正常组织中P13K／Akt信号转导途径处于活化状态，但是该通路如果被过度激活则可通过下调肿瘤抑制蛋白p53、刺激蛋白质合成、抑制细胞凋亡等导致肿瘤细胞的无限增殖，成为肿瘤预后不好的标志，因此抑制该通路的激活有利于肿瘤治疗。目前已发现肿瘤抑制基因PTEN、PHLPP和蛋白磷酸酶2A等均可通过不同的机制抑制该通路的激活。同时，针对该通路的抑制剂作为抗肿瘤药物得到了广泛研究并在临床上取得了预期的进展，如wtPTEN的转基因研究、P13K抑制剂LY294002和渥曼青霉素、PDK-1抑制剂星孢菌素和塞来昔布、Akt抑制剂哌立福新、雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mTOR）抑制剂西罗莫司等，期望这些抑制剂能达到靶向治疗肿瘤的目的。     

PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and cancer

Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases, PI3Ks, constitute a lipid kinase family characterized by their ability to phosphorylate inositol ring 3'-OH group in inositol phospholipids to generate the second messenger phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI-3,4,5-P(3)). RPTK activation results in PI(3,4,5)P(3) and PI(3,4)P(2) production by PI3K at the inner side of the plasma membrane. Akt interacts with these phospholipids, causing its translocation to the inner membrane, where it is phosphorylated and activated by PDK1 and PDK2. Activated Akt modulates the function of numerous substrates involved in the regulation of cell survival, cell cycle progression and cellular growth. In recent years, it has been shown that PI3K/Akt signalling pathway components are frequently altered in human cancers. Cancer treatment by chemotherapy and gamma-irradiation kills target cells primarily by the induction of apoptosis. However, the development of resistance to therapy is an important clinical problem. Failure to activate the apoptotic programme represents an important mode of drug resistance in tumor cells. Survival signals induced by several receptors are mediated mainly by PI3K/Akt, hence this pathway may decisively contribute to the resistant phenotype. Many of the signalling pathways involved in cellular transformation have been elucidated and efforts are underway to develop treatment strategies that target these specific signalling molecules or their downstream effectors. The PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in many of the mechanisms targeted by these new drugs, thus a better understanding of this crossroad can help to fully exploit the potential benefits of these new agents.     

芹菜素通过 PI3K/Akt 信号通路诱导 Hela 细胞凋亡

目的：初探芹菜素（Apigenin）对人宫颈癌细胞 Hela 的抑制机制。方法：MTT 法检测 Apigenin 对 Hela细胞的增殖抑制作用,实时无标记细胞分析技术测量 Apigenin 对 Hela 细胞生长曲线的影响。Western blot 检测 Apigenin 对 Hela 细胞中 PI3K/ Akt 信号通路的影响。结果：与阴性对照组相比,Apigenin 能显著抑制 Hela细胞的增殖（P <0.01）,当药物浓度为20μmol/ L 时抑制率达到（80.5±5.3）%,IC50值为（6.8±0.8）μmol/ L。细胞生长曲线反映,Apigenin 减缓了 Hela 细胞的增殖,对数期细胞经20μmol/ L Apigenin 处理后,细胞数量迅速下降。Western blot 结果显示,Apigenin 能显著抵抗 IGF -1引起的 Akt 激活但并不能降低 PI3K 的磷酸化水平。同时 Apigenin 还能降低 Bcl -2/ Bax 比例,提高 Caspase -3活性,启动细胞线粒体凋亡。结论：Apigenin可以通过 PI3K/ Akt 信号通路促进 Hela 细胞的凋亡。     

磷脂酰肌醇3激酶-蛋白质丝氨酸苏氨酸激酶途径与肿瘤的关系

磷脂酰肌醇3激酶（PI3K）-蛋白质丝氨酸苏氨酸激酶（Akt）途径是细胞内重要的信号传导途径,在细胞增殖分化中起重要作用。PI3K-Akt途径的失调控对于多种肿瘤的发生是一种刺激信号,途径中任何激酶表达的异常都可能诱导肿瘤的发生。现综述PI3K-Akt途径中PI3K、Akt、磷脂酰肌醇依赖性蛋白激酶（PDK）、与张力蛋白同源的第10号染色体上丢失的磷酸酶基因（PTEN）在肿瘤发生发展中的作用。     

Baicalin induces apoptosis in leukemia HL-60/ADR cells via possible down-regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Background: The effect and possible mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine, baicalin, on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in drug-resistant human myeloid leukemia HL-60/ADR cells have been investigated inthis current study. Methods: HL-60/ADR cells were treated by 20, 40, 80 μmol/L baicalin followed by cell cycleanalysis at 24h. The mRNA expression level of the apoptosis related gene, Bcl-2 and bad, were measured byRT-PCR on cells treated with 80 μmol/L baicalin at 12, 24 and 48hr. Western blot was performed to detect thechanges in the expression of the proteins related to HL-60/ADR cell apoptosis and the signaling pathway beforeand after baicalin treatment, including Bcl-2, PARP, Bad, Caspase 3, Akt, p-Akt, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, mTOR andp-mTOR. Results: Sub-G1 peak of HL-60/ADR cells appeared 24 h after 20 μmol/L baicalin treatment, andthe ratio increased as baicalin concentration increased. Cell cycle analysis showed 44.9% G0/G1 phase cells24 h after baicalin treatment compared to 39.6% in the control group. Cells treated with 80 μmol/L baicalindisplayed a trend in decreasing of Bcl-2 mRNA expression over time. Expression level of the Bcl-2 and PARPproteins decreased significantly while that of the PARP, Caspase-3, and Bad proteins gradually increased. Nosignificant difference in Akt expression was observed between treated and the control groups. However, theexpression levels of p-Akt, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, mTOR and p-mTOR decreased significantly in a time-dependentmanner. Conclusions: We conclude that baicalin may induce HL-60/ADR cell apoptosis through the PI3K/AKTsignaling pathway.     

Synthetic lethal interaction between PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Ras/MEK/ERK pathway inhibition in rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) frequently exhibits concomitant activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and the Ras/MEK/ERK pathways. Therefore, we investigated whether pharmacological cotargeting of these two key survival pathways suppresses RMS growth. Here, we identify a synthetic lethal interaction between PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Ras/MEK/ERK pathway inhibition in RMS. The dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PI103 and the MEK inhibitor UO126 synergize to trigger apoptosis in several RMS cell lines in a highly synergistic manner (combination index <0.1), whereas either agent alone induces minimal cell death. Similarly, genetic knockdown of p110α and MEK1/2 cooperates to induce apoptosis. Molecular studies reveal that cotreatment with PI103/UO126 cooperates to suppress PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Ras/MEK/ERK signaling, whereas either compound alone is not only less effective to inhibit signaling, but even cross-activates the other pathway. Accordingly, PI103 alone increases ERK phosphorylation, while UO126 enhances Akt phosphorylation, consistent with negative crosstalks between these two signaling pathways. Furthermore, PI103/UO126 cotreatment causes downregulation of several antiapoptotic proteins such as XIAP, Bcl-x_L and Mcl-1 as well as increased expression and decreased phosphorylation of the proapoptotic protein Bim_EL, thus shifting the balance towards apoptosis. Consistently, PI103/UO126 cotreatment cooperates to trigger Bax activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase activation and caspase-dependent apoptosis. This identification of a synthetic lethal interaction between PI3K/mTOR and MEK inhibitors has important implications for the development of novel treatment strategies in RMS.     

PI3K/Akt抑制剂渥曼青霉素对白血病细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：研究PI3K/Akt抑制剂渥曼青霉素对白血病细胞增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法: 以不同浓度的渥曼青霉素作用于人类髓细胞白血病细胞K562,采用MTT法检测细胞增殖活性,单细胞凝胶电泳技术检测细胞DNA损伤形成的“彗星”样拖尾现象,Annexin VFITC/PI双标法检测细胞凋亡,Western blotting、RTPCR检测渥曼青霉素作用K562细胞后总Akt和磷酸化Akt以及NFκB基因及蛋白表达水平的变化。结果: 渥曼青霉素以时间剂量依赖性方式抑制K562细胞的增殖,其24 h的IC50是25 nmol/L。渥曼青霉素诱导K562细胞发生凋亡,其作用呈明显剂量依赖性增强。渥曼青霉素作用后K562细胞DNA链断裂,呈现“彗星”拖尾现象,其尾长与拖尾率显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。渥曼青霉素能同时在蛋白和基因水平,以剂量依赖性方式抑制磷酸化Akt以及NFκB表达,但对总Akt蛋白没有明显影响。结论: 渥曼青霉素以时间和剂量依赖方式明显抑制K562细胞的增殖及诱导其凋亡,其机制可能与其下调磷酸化PI3K/Akt信号通路以及NFκB蛋白表达有关。     

Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Despite recent advances in the understanding of the biologic basis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, the clinical management of the disease remains a major challenge. Deregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, which is a prototypic survival pathway, is increasingly implicated in HCC carcinogenesis. In this article, we detailed the role of this pathway in the pathogenesis of HCC and provide an update on the preclinical and clinical development of various agents targeting this key survival/proliferation pathway, which include various PI3K inhibitors, Akt inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors for HCC. In addition, we highlighted the therapeutic potential of combination strategy for mTOR inhibitors with conventional chemotherapy, in particular, antimicrotubule agents, other molecular targeting agents, as well as radiotherapy.     

PI3K／Akt／mTOR在表阿霉素抑制Jurkat细胞增殖和诱导凋亡中的作用

目的 探讨PI3K／Akt／mTOR信号通路在表阿霉素抑制人T细胞淋巴瘤细胞株Jurkat细胞增殖和诱导凋亡中的作用。方法 用0、1.25、2.5、5、10μmol／L表阿霉素和0、0.25、0.5、1、2μmol／L PI3K／mTOR双重抑制剂（NVP-BEZ235）对Jurkat细胞作用48h后,CCK-8试剂盒检测Jurkat细胞株增殖抑制情况;采用AnnexinⅤ／PE双染法流式细胞术检测上述药物作用Jurkat细胞48h的凋亡率以及5μmol／L表阿霉素和2μmol／L NVP BEZ235单独及联合作用Jurkat细胞0、12、24、36、48h的凋亡率;Western blotting法检测5、10μmol/L的表阿霉素作用Jurkat细胞0、6、12、24、48h,以及5μmol/L表阿霉素与2μmol/L NVP BEZ235单独及联合作用Jurkat细胞24、48h的PI3K／Akt／mTOR信号通路中Akt、mTOR、p70s6k等表达变化。结果 表阿霉素能够抑制Jurkat细胞增殖并诱导其凋亡,且凋亡作用呈浓度依赖性,5μmol／L表阿霉素作用Jurkat细胞48h的凋亡率为57.72％。在表阿霉素诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡过程中伴随Akt、mTOR、p70s6k的表达变化, NVP-BEZ235能够降低Jurkat细胞Akt、p70s6k的磷酸化水平,显著提高表阿霉素诱导Jurkat细胞凋亡的作用,5μmol／L表阿霉素和2μmol／L NVP-BEZ235联合作用Jurkat细胞48h的凋亡率达78.31％,明显高于5μmol／L表阿霉素的57.72％。结论 表阿霉素抑制Jurkat细胞增殖和诱导凋亡与PI3K／Akt／mTOR信号通路有关,当该通路抑制剂与表阿霉素联用时,Jurkat细胞对于表阿霉素敏感性有一定程度的提高。     

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway: a new therapeutic target in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

Despite important progress in the therapy of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) most patients relapse and die from the disease, underlying the need for potent and more specific drugs for the treatment of this pathology. Recently, we demonstrated that the PI3-kinase-Akt-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway is constitutively activated in about 60% of AML patients cells. In vitro, low doses of the specific inhibitor of mTOR, rapamycin, block the phosphorylation of the classical targets of this kinase and inhibit the proliferation of leukemic progenitors without affecting the growth of normal haematopoietic progenitors. The results of this preclinical study led us to investigate the activity of rapamycin in relapsed, refractory, or poor-risk AML patients. The results of this study will be discussed in the review.     

Inositol pentakisphosphate promotes apoptosis through the PI 3-K/Akt pathway

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-K) is implicated in a wide array of biological and pathophysiological responses, including tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis, therefore specific inhibitors of the kinase may prove useful in cancer therapy. We propose that specific inositol polyphosphates have the potential to antagonize the activation of PI 3-K pathways by competing with the binding of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 to pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. Here we show that Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 inhibits the serine phosphorylation and the kinase activity of Akt/PKB. As a consequence of this inhibition, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 induces apoptosis in ovarian, lung and breast cancer cells. Overexpression of constitutively active Akt protects SKBR-3 cells from Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 enhances the proapoptotic effect of cisplatin and etoposide in ovarian and lung cancer cells, respectively. These results support a role for Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 as a specific inhibitor of the PI 3-K/Akt signalling pathway, that may sensitize cancer cells to the action of commonly used anticancer drugs.     

Drug discovery approaches targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway in cancer

The abnormal activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway has been validated by epidemiological and experimental studies as an essential step toward the initiation and maintenance of human tumors. Notable in this regard are the prevalent somatic genetic alterations leading to the inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN and gain-of-function mutations targeting PIK3CA--the gene encoding the catalytic phosphosinositide-3 kinase subunit p110 alpha. A number of the intracellular components of this pathway have been targeted as anticancer drug discovery activities leading to the current panoply of clinical trials of inhibitors of PI3K, Akt and HSP90 in man. This review summarizes current preclinical knowledge of modulators of the PI3K/Akt pathway in which drug discovery and development activities have been advanced focusing on both the relevant clinical stage inhibitors and other disclosed tool compounds targeting PI3K, PDK1, Akt and HSP90.     

ＰＩ３Ｋ／Ａｋｔ信号传导通路及其在结直肠癌中的研究进展

结直肠癌是常见的恶性肿瘤之一,近十年来,结直肠癌在我国的发病率呈逐年上升的趋势。已有研究表明,ＰＩ３Ｋ／Ａｋｔ信号传导通路是与细胞增殖和细胞凋亡关系最密切的信号传导通路之一。随着ＰＩ３Ｋ／ＡＫｔ信号通路在结直肠癌发生、发展中的研究不断深入,该通路对结直肠癌发生、发展及治疗药物的研发具有十分重要的价值。本文就ＰＩ３Ｋ／Ａｋｔ信号传导通路在结直肠癌发生、发展和治疗中的作用以及机制的研究进展作一综述。     

红花多糖抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路诱导人胃癌细胞凋亡的研究

目的 探讨红花多糖通过抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路调控胃癌细胞凋亡的机制。方法 MTT比色法观察SPS对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞体外增殖的抑制作用,流式细胞仪(FCM)分析细胞凋亡,实时荧光定量RT-PCR法和Western Blot法检测蛋白激酶B(Akt)基因及蛋白的表达情况。结果 红花多糖在一定范围内以剂量依赖方式和时间依赖方式抑制SGC-7901胃癌细胞生长。流式细胞仪检测,SGC-7901细胞经红花多糖处理24 h,其早期凋亡率、细胞坏死或晚期凋亡率显著增加,呈现明显的剂量依赖性。Real-time PCR和Western Blot检测发现,SPS处理的细胞Akt基因及蛋白表达量明显下降。结论 红花多糖对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞体外增殖具有明显的抑制作用,该抑制作用具有一定的时间依赖性和剂量依赖性;红花多糖能够下调Akt mRNA表达,降低Akt和p-Akt蛋白的表达量,抑制Akt通路发挥抗肿瘤作用。     

Jolkinolide B induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

The phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal transduction pathway is critically important for tumor cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis. Apoptosis activation has been reported to be a good target in cancer therapies. In this study, we have found that jolkinolide?B (JB), a diterpenoid from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Euphorbia fischeriana Steud, strongly inhibited the expression of the PI3K p85 subunit and the phosphorylation of Akt. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of JB on the proliferation and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Our results show significant induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells incubated with JB. This effect was enhanced by combination with LY294002. In addition, treatment with JB could induce downregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and subsequent promotion of mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3. Taken together, JB-induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells occurs through the mitochondrial pathway. Further, the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade plays a role in the induction of apoptosis in JB-treated cells. These observations suggest that JB may have therapeutic applications in the treatment of cancer.     

苦参碱对视网膜母细胞瘤细胞增殖、凋亡及PI3K/Akt信号通路的影响

目的 探讨苦参碱（Mat）对视网膜母细胞瘤细胞Y79细胞增殖、凋亡及PI3K/Akt信号通路的影响。方法 Y79细胞经0.5、1.0、1.5 g/L Mat处理24 h后,采用CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞增殖情况,磷酯酰丝氨酸结合蛋白-异硫氢酸荧光素/碘化丙啶（Annexin V-FITC/PI）双标记流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况,Western blotting免疫印迹检测各浓度Mat处理后凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2及Bax、PI3K/Akt信号通路重要蛋白PI3K p85亚基、Akt及其磷酸化形式p-Akt的蛋白水平。结果 不同浓度Mat作用Y79细胞24 h后,可呈浓度依赖性方式抑制细胞增殖,增加细胞凋亡率（P＜0.05）。Western blotting检测发现,Mat可明显增加促凋亡蛋白Bax表达,降低抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2水平并可降低PI3K p85α亚基及磷酸化Akt的蛋白水平（P＜0.05）,对总Akt水平无明显影响。结论 Mat可抑制人视网膜母细胞瘤增殖并诱导其凋亡,可能与抑制PI3K/Akt 信号通路有关。