Roles of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathways in neurodegenerative diseases and tumours

Abstract The PI3 K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of signal transduction and biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism and angiogenesis. Compared with those of other signalling pathways, the components of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway are complicated. The regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway are important in many human diseases, including ischaemic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumours. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway inhibitors include single-component and dual inhibitors. Numerous PI3K inhibitors have exhibited good results in preclinical studies, and some have been clinically tested in haematologic malignancies and solid tumours. In this review, we briefly summarize the results of research on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and discuss the structural composition, activation, communication processes, regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and tumours.