Akt Inhibitors
Akt: the name is derived from 'Thymoma viral proto-oncogene 1". Akt enzymes act as proto-oncogenic proteins because proto-oncogenes code for proteins that help to regulate cell growth and differentiation. Akt, also known as Protein kinase B (PKB) is an enzyme which phosphorylates substrate proteins on Serine and/or Threonine residues. Akt is activated by many growth factors: IGF-I, EGF, aFGF, insulin, IL-3, IL-6 and VEGF. The mammalian PKB subfamily is made of three isoforms: PKB-α, -β and -γ (Akt1, 2 and 3 respectively). Akt enzymes are key components of some of the most influential intracellular signaling networks including the mTOR pathway which regulates apoptosis, cell proliferation and has a central role in many human malignancies. Akt acts as a master switch promoting cell survival or preventing death, regulating progression through cell cycle, metabolism and protein trafficking (Akt signals translocation of glucose transporter to the plasma membrane in response to insulin secretion). It is implicated in cell motility (angiogenesis), tumor development, Diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases as well as Schizophrenia. Due to such widespread effects of Akt mediated signaling, specific inhibitors targeting different domains of the Akt protein have been reported in scientific literature. Particularly, the allosteric Akt inhibitor, MK-2206 (part of BioVision's catalog) is a promising therapeutic agent for treatment of many solid tumors, lung and ovarian cancers. BioVision's catalog includes several Akt inhibitors including easy-to use inhibitor sets.
