Signaling intricacies take center stage in cancer cells

Abstract

After many years of productive study on the signaling networks, posttranslational regulatory control of effector molecules remains an intensely investigated and continuously evolving field of research to connect signaling with phenotypic changes. In recent years, there have been intriguing results on the interaction of critical molecules to control the growth of cancer cells. This review article will focus on two critical convergence signaling nodules, Akt and p21-activated kinase, two integral components of phenotypic signaling during tumorigenesis. Here we will summarize the recent findings on how these master signaling nodules regulate their targets and alter the subcellular localization of their effectors to control their functionality. Based on the laboratory advances in the Akt and p21-activated kinase signaling pathways, it is conceivable to start defining novel avenues to develop targeted anticancer therapies.