Forkhead transcription factors are targets of signalling by the proto-oncogene PKB (C-AKT)

Following the discovery that the proto-oncogene protein kinase B (PKB) functions as a downstream element in signalling from phosphoinositide 3'-kinase (PI3-kinase) (Burgering & Coffer, 1995), PKB has been shown to mediate a diverse array of PI3-kinase dependent cellular responses. Most recently PKB-dependent phosphorylation of 3 members of the family of Forkhead transcription factors has been demonstrated to play a role in PI3-kinase dependent effects on transcription. This review focuses on this newly discovered function of PKB in conveying the diversity of PI3-kinase dependent cellular responses.