Final answer:
Akt stimulates cell growth (in size) by activating the mTOR pathway, which promotes protein synthesis and cell growth.This leads to an increase in the production of proteins necessary for cell growth and size.
Step-by-step explanation:
Akt, also known as protein kinase B, stimulates cell growth in size by activating the mTOR pathway.
Akt phosphorylates and inhibits the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), which is a negative regulator of mTOR.
When TSC is inhibited, mTOR is activated, leading to the activation of downstream signaling molecules involved in cell growth and protein synthesis.
For example, activated mTOR promotes the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1), both of which are involved in protein synthesis.
This leads to an increase in the production of proteins necessary for cell growth and size.