Work

Deciphering Akt activation: Insights from a mean-field model

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Being at the right place at the right time is vital for any signalling system component. Akt/PKB is a well-known low-threshold switch in the mammalian insulin signalling pathway. The activation of Akt is essential for the uptake of glucose, however, data concerning this vital system is very sparse, particularly with regards to cellular location and activation state. Here we present a parsimonious mathematical model that captures the current experimental understanding of Akt dynamics. The system operates on two distinct timescales (signalling and physical transport), with the transportation of Akt constituting the rate-limiting step in most circumstances. The model outputs are consistent with observations of the steady state behaviour of the system and display the transient overshoot behaviour which is a necessary characteristic of the activation of Akt.

Source: Mathematical Biosciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2025.109434

Authors: Catheryn W. Gray, Adelle C.F. Coster

Institution: UNSW Sydney

Language: English

Topic: Gene Regulatory Network Analysis

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,660

Funder: Australian Research Council