AKT1 is a serine/threonine protein kinase with homology to protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC). AKT1 contains the central kinase domain sandwiched between a pleckstrin homology domain and a regulatory domain (1). AKT1 is regulated by receptor tyrosine kinase pathways and is activated in a PI3K-dependent manner following growth factor stimulation (1). Production of PIP3 at the plasma membrane by PI3K is though to recruit AKT1 where it is then phosphorylated by 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). Activated AKT1 mediates a variety of cellular processes by phosphorylating downstream substrates to affect their activity, localization, or stability (1). These cellular processes include regulation of cell metabolism, growth, survival, and cell cycle progression (1). Mutation of AKT1 and deregulation of these cellular processes can lead to various diseases such as type-2 diabetes or cancer (2). For example, in esophageal adenocarcinoma immunohistochemical analysis using both phospho-specific and general AKT1 antibodies demonstrated activation of AKT1 during cancer progression (3). Phospho-specific AKT1 antibodies have proven useful in investigations of healthy tissues as well. Cuesto et al. studied to the role of AKT1 in synaptogenesis in mammalian neurons (4). Using a variety of phospho-specific AKT1 antibodies the authors were able to show activated AKT1 inhibits GSK3β and promotes synapse formation (4). Their research may have implications for treatment of age-related neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. A clinical study from the Mayo Clinic also used a phospho-specific AKT1 antibody this time in an attempt to identify proteins whose expression levels correlated with response to treatment with the cancer drug temsirolimus (5). Together these studies demonstrate the variety of applications for AKT1 antibodies ranges from diagnostics and drug efficacy studies to investigations of basic biological mechanisms and pathways.
Novus Biologicals offers AKT1 reagents for your research needs including:
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