The PI3K-AKT pathway: A plausible therapeutic target in Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Experimental and molecular pathology Vol. 129; p. 104846
• Main Authors: Goyal, Ahsas, Agrawal, Anant, Verma, Aanchal, Dubey, Nandini
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Aged; AKT; Dopaminergic Neurons - metabolism; Dopaminergic Neurons - pathology; Humans; Neurodegeneration; Neurodegenerative Diseases - drug therapy; Neurodegenerative Diseases - metabolism; Neurodegenerative Diseases - pathology; Neuroprotective Agents - metabolism; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; Parkinson Disease - drug therapy; Parkinsonism; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases - metabolism; PI3K; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - metabolism; Signaling pathway; Parkinsonism; AKT; Signaling pathway; PI3K; Neurodegeneration
• ISSN: 0014-4800; 1096-0945; 1096-0945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2022.104846

Parkinson's disease is a common progressive and multifactorial neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Numerous pathological processes including, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalance, and apoptosis as well as genetic factors may lead to neuronal degeneration. With the emergence of aging population, the health problem and economic burden caused by PD also increase. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway regulates signal transduction and biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism. According to reports, it regulates neurotoxicity and mediates the survival of neurons. Accumulating evidences indicate that some natural products can play a neuroprotective role by activating PI3K-AKT pathway, providing an effective resource for the discovery of potential therapeutic drugs. The current review provides an overview of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and review the relationship between this signaling pathway and PD. •The therapeutic role of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in Parkinson's disease is reviewed.•PI3K-AKT signaling pathway is a possible target for various compounds for the treatment of PD.•The role of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in neurodegeneration is discussed.•Further research is needed to obtain new drugs which act by regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.