Final answer:
The PI3K/AKT pathway is a key signal transduction pathway that plays vital roles in cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism and is notably implicated in the pathophysiology of cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The PI3K/AKT pathway is a critical signal transduction pathway that is central to many biological processes, most importantly, cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism. It is perhaps most prominently noted for its role in cancer biology. When cells receive external growth signals, PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) is activated and leads to the production of PIP3 in the membrane.
This attracts AKT to the membrane where it is activated through phosphorylation. The pathway involves numerous other molecules, but ultimately influences cell growth, survival, and metabolism. It can interact with other kinases, such as MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), which is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, AKT can have downstream effects on other transcription factors, like NF-κB, by phosphorylating and inactivating its inhibitor, IκB, allowing NF-κB to initiate transcription. Due to these roles, dysregulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway is a significant event in the development and progression of many types of cancers.