Protein kinase B (also known as Akt) (PKB or Akt)

Protein kinase B (PKB), commonly known as **Akt**, is a family of serine/threonine protein kinases (including three isoforms: Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3) that are critical regulators of a wide array of cellular processes. The Akt pathway (often called the PI3K/Akt pathway) is a central node in signal transduction networks controlling cell survival, metabolism, growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. Akt activation occurs downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) through membrane translocation and phosphorylation by PDK1 and the mTORC2 complex. Aberrant activation of Akt is frequently observed in many cancer types and is associated with tumor cell survival, therapy resistance, and cancer progression. Akt signaling is also implicated in diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and rare overgrowth syndromes such as Proteus syndrome. Because of its broad importance, the Akt pathway is a prominent target for drug development in oncology and other diseases, with several small-molecule inhibitors (e.g., MK-2206, Miransertib) in clinical trials[1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9][10]. **Special Note:** The "Protein kinase B pathway" is not itself a molecule or receptor, but rather refers to the **signaling pathway** mediated by the Protein kinase B/Akt family of kinases. The actual druggable "targets" are the Akt kinase proteins (Akt1, Akt2, Akt3) rather than the entire pathway. For curation purposes, "Protein kinase B" or "Akt" should be used as the canonical target entry, not the "Protein kinase B pathway."

Other names

AktPKBAkt1Akt2Akt3RAC alpha serine/threonine-protein kinaseRAC beta serine/threonine-protein kinaseRAC gamma serine/threonine-protein kinasev-AKTAKT serine/threonine kinase 1/2/3

Allosteric inhibition of Akt/PKB activity (e.g., MK-2206, Miransertib, BAY 1125976) Competitive inhibition at ATP-binding site (various investigational drugs) Indirect inhibition via suppression of upstream PI3K pathway Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation, blocking translocation or activation