Application Note: Real-time Kinetic Analysis of Akt Activity
Akt activity is a dynamic process linking extracellular signals with cell behavior and function. Highly interconnected, its deregulation is implicated in a high percentage of cancers particularly during metastasis, and chronic inflammatory diseases including COPD. The ability to quantify Akt activation and inhibition in real time, whilst being able to monitor the resultant influence on cell behavior, will enable valuable insight into mechanisms of these diseases.
Cell signaling through the Akt pathway controls numerous key cellular functions including proliferation, survival, and migration. Akt sits at the center of a highly complex signaling network which regulates cell functions, including protein synthesis, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and metabolism.
The Akt pathway is activated when external signals, such as growth factors, bind to the extracellular domain of membrane bound receptors, such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) or G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR).
Akt activity levels are dynamic, dependent on, and responsive to, the complex intracellular environment and extracellular stimuli. The ability to measure real-time Akt activation in living cells, will provide valuable information on the involvement of Akt across multiple fields of research including oncology, neuroscience and inflammatory disease research.
The Incucyte® Kinase Akt Lentivirus and Incucyte® Live-Cell Analysis Systems, enable Akt activity to be monitored within living cells.
This Application Note includes details on:
- Direct and Indirect Inhibition of Akt Signaling in Glioblastoma
- Targeting Upstream Regulators of Akt Activity
- Regulation of Akt Activity in Inflammation Response
- Akt Activity Regulation of Cell Function
