Bioscience Chapter Database :: 3635 Chapters Now Online

Chapter category: Adhesion Molecules

Akt and Pancreatic b-Cell Growth and Function

This chapter appears in the following book:

Islet Cell Growth Factors

Edited by: Rohit N. Kulkarni
ISBN: TBA
» Get more information about this book at landesbioscience.com «

Chapter authors:
Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi


[+] view image
The serine-threonine kinase Akt also known as protein kinase B is one of the most studied molecules. In addition to the important role in carcinogenesis, Akt is a major regulator of carbohydrate metabolism. Akt mediates insulin-dependent glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive tissues. Recent evidence underscores the importance of Akt for regulation of b-cell mass and function. This review summarizes current findings concerning the molecular mechanisms, downstream signaling pathways and critical components involved in regulation of b-cell growth and function by Akt. The results of these observations suggest that elucidation of critical downstream effectors of this signaling pathway could generate promising molecules as a potential targets to induce proliferation and survival of b-cells.

» Access chapter for $19



Additional chapters from this book:

Role of Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein and Lactogens in the Pancreatic Beta Cell

Yuichi Fujinaka, Lin Wang, Takaya Matsushita and Rupangi C. Vasavada

With the current rate of escalation in diabetes worldwide the need to treat and cure the disease is imperative from the standpoint of avoiding both a health and a related economic crisis in the ...

Role of FoxO Proteins in Pancreatic b Cells

Tadahiro Kitamura, Yukari Ido Kitamura and Domenico Accili

Forkhead transcription factors of the FoxO family have important roles in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and stress resistance. FoxO proteins also play important roles in m...

b Cell Proliferation as the Major Determinant of Pancreatic b Cell Mass

Zvi Granot and Yuval Dor

A fundamental problem in pancreas biology concerns the cellular origins of adult pancreatic b cells. Identifying the cells that give rise to new b cells will have important implications for th...

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and the Pancreatic Beta Cell

Jose A. Gonzalez-Pertusa, Laura Alonso and Adolfo Garcia-Ocaña

Studies performed in vivo using genetically modified mouse models have shown that growth factors are regulators of beta cell growth and differentiation. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), initially...

Akt and Pancreatic b-Cell Growth and Function

Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi

The serine-threonine kinase Akt also known as protein kinase B is one of the most studied molecules. In addition to the important role in carcinogenesis, Akt is a major regulator of carbohydrate metab...

Cell Cycle Regulation and Beta Cells

Senta Georgia and Anil Bhushan

Cells regulate proliferation by entering and progressing through the cell cycle. Conversely, cell growth is arrested by exiting the cell cycle. A balance of extrinsic and intrinsic signals nor...

Role of Pdx-1 in β-Cell Growth

J. Nina Ham and Doris A. Stoffers

PDX-1 is a homeodomain transcription factor that acts as a key regulator of pancreas development, pancreatic b-cell differentiation, and b-cell function. It is one of the earliest markers of pancreati...


SIGN IN

Email:


Password:


lost password?




[ Home | Authors | Editors | Custom Books | Chapter Reprints | Subscribe | Contact | Biotoons ]