What Are the Key Signaling Pathways Involving G Proteins in Cancer?
G proteins are integral to several signaling pathways that are crucial in cancer biology:
MAPK/ERK Pathway: Activated by GPCRs, this pathway is critical for cell division and differentiation. Dysregulation can lead to cancerous growth. PI3K/AKT Pathway: This pathway is involved in cell survival and metabolism. Mutations leading to persistent activation are common in cancers. cAMP Pathway: G proteins regulate cyclic AMP levels, influencing processes like metabolism and gene transcription. Alterations here can affect tumor growth.
These pathways demonstrate how G proteins modulate various cellular mechanisms that can contribute to oncogenesis when dysregulated.
