Protein Kinase B (AKT) is a kinase that is activated through either the insulin signaling transduction pathway or through the growth factor signaling cascade. AKT is found in three highly homologous isoforms, AKT-1, AKT-2 and AKT-3. Using a genetically altered embryonic murine cell line and utilizing the new technology of mRNA silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA), a study of the in vivo targets of AKT-3 was performed to determine the biological function of AKT-3. The cells were stimulated with a high concentration of platelet derived growth hormone (PDGF) to induce the insulin-like growth factor signaling cascade, in which the ATK family plays a role as a protein kinase to many downstream proteins. Through the in vitro study, I found that many of these downstream proteins are phosphorylated normally in cells lakcing AKT-3 or DKO with AKT-3 siRNA except for p-FKHR. The results of this study suggest that AKT-3 does not play a crucial role in the growth factor signaling cascade to maintain glucose homeostasis.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Coleman, Kerri Ann

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 03D040M

Advisor

• Fairchild, Craig D.

Year

• 2003

Date created

• 2003-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright

License

• All rights reserved