Insulin Signal Transduction in Normal Cells and its Role in Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Convincing epidemiological evidence exists for a causal relationship between increased risk of cancer development and progression and type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as obesity. Though the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, in light of the well-described mitogenic actions of insulin, hyperinsulinaemia in the presence of insulin resistance is probably a key factor. In this short review, an overview over the insulin signalling cascade is given paying special attention to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways which are involved in protein synthesis and cell growth.

Key words

mammalian target of rapamycin - MAPK - mitogen-activated protein kinase - mTOR - phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase - PI 3-K - RafRas - small molecule inhibitors - tumorigenesis

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