A from Prasun Guha has uncovered a novel pathway associated with cancer and Crohn's disease, which was published in iScience [Cell Press] on April 11, 2023.
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106623.
The canonical AKT pathway associated with cancer and inflammatory diseases has been reexamined and redesigned by incorporating a novel kinase IPMK [Inositol polyphosphate multikinase]. AKT signaling is hyperactivated in most cancer, and the molecular mechanism of AKT activation is poorly understood. Guha lab identified a new inositol kinase IPMK that activates AKT in a previously unknown mechanism. Interestingly, AKT signaling maintains homeostasis in intestinal regeneration, and loss of function of AKT signaling may directly impact intestinal inflammation.
According to the genome-wide association study [GWAS], the IPMK gene is associated with Crohn's disease, a chronic but severe intestinal inflammation-related disease. No direct treatment is available for this disease as the mechanism of disease onset and progression is uncharacterized. This finding is the first step in understanding a novel angle of Crohn's disease onset and progression.
