The Ras-ERK and PI3K-mTOR Pathways: Cross-talk and Compensation

Overview

Journal Trends Biochem Sci

Specialty Biochemistry

Date 2011 May 3

PMID 21531565

Citations 872

Authors

Michelle C Mendoza

E Emrah Er

John Blenis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Ras-ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K-mTOR) signaling pathways are the chief mechanisms for controlling cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, metabolism, and motility in response to extracellular cues. Components of these pathways were among the first to be discovered when scientists began cloning proto-oncogenes and purifying cellular kinase activities in the 1980s. Ras-ERK and PI3K-mTOR were originally modeled as linear signaling conduits activated by different stimuli, yet even early experiments hinted that they might intersect to regulate each other and co-regulate downstream functions. The extent of this cross-talk and its significance in cancer therapeutics are now becoming clear.

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