Mechanisms and consequences of activation of protein kinase B/Akt.

Protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt is a growth-factor-regulated serine/threonine kinase which contains a pleckstrin homology domain. Binding of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase products to the pleckstrin homology domain results in translocation of PKB/Akt to the plasma membrane where it is activated by phosphorylation by upstream kinases including the phosphoinoside-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). Activated PKB/Akt provides a survival signal that protects cells from apoptosis induced by various stresses, and also mediates a number of metabolic effects of insulin.