Proliferation, survival and metabolism: the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling in pluripotency and cell fate determination

• Published in: Development (Cambridge) Vol. 143; no. 17; pp. 3050 - 3060
• Main Authors: Yu, Jason S. L., Cui, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Cell Proliferation - physiology; Cell Survival - genetics; Cell Survival - physiology; Humans; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases - genetics; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases - metabolism; Pluripotent Stem Cells - metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - metabolism; Signal Transduction - genetics; Signal Transduction - physiology; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - genetics; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism; mTOR; AKT; Proliferation and differentiation; PI3K; Metabolism; Pluripotency
• ISSN: 0950-1991; 1477-9129
• DOI: 10.1242/dev.137075

Phosphatidylinositide 3 kinases (PI3Ks) and their downstream mediators AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) constitute the core components of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling cascade, regulating cell proliferation, survival and metabolism. Although these functions are well-defined in the context of tumorigenesis, recent studies – in particular those using pluripotent stem cells – have highlighted the importance of this pathway to development and cellular differentiation. Here, we review the recent in vitro and in vivo evidence for the role PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling plays in the control of pluripotency and differentiation, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying these functions.