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) func tions as a downstream element in signalling from phosphoinositide 3'-kinase (PI3-kinase) (Burgering & Coffer, 1995), PKB has been shown to mediate a d iverse array of PI3-kinase dependent cellular responses. Most recently PKB- dependent phosphorylation of 3 members of the family of Forkhead transcript ion factors has been demonstrated to play a role in PI3-kinase dependent ef fects on transcription. This review focuses on this newly discovered functi on of PKB in conveying the diversity of PI3-kinase dependent cellular respo nses.