The PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling: A Critical Regulator in Human Health and Disease

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is fundamental in regulating key cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, survival, metabolism, and protein synthesis. Under normal physiological conditions, this pathway is precisely controlled by various upstream signals, including growth factors, hormones, and nutrients. However, both hyperactivation and inactivation of this pathway can disrupt cellular homeostasis, contributing to the onset and progression of diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and numerous cancers. Recent studies have highlighted the pathway's role in promoting tumor growth, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance in cancer, as well as its involvement in insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunctions in diabetes. Moreover, dysregulation of this signaling impacts neuronal survival and contributes to neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Despite these findings, there is a pressing need to further dissect the nuanced mechanisms of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to identify more precise therapeutic targets.

This Research Topic aims to elucidate the intricate and unresolved roles of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in both health and disease. The primary objectives include investigating its engagement in epigenetic regulation, non-coding RNA functions, metabolic reprogramming, stem cell differentiation, regeneration, and aging. Additionally, it seeks to explore how the pathway's dysregulation contributes to disease pathogenesis and disrupts normal physiological balance. Achieving a holistic understanding of both physiological and pathophysiological roles of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is essential for developing effective disease prevention strategies, optimizing disease management, and ultimately improving human health outcomes.

To gather further insights into the impact of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in health and disease, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Genomic and epigenomic approaches to understanding the complexity of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis in various diseases.
- The role of non-coding RNAs in modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and its implications in health and disease.
- Involvement of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis in metabolic reprogramming.
- Impact of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in stem cell biology and regeneration.
- Role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis in aging and senescence.
- Preclinical investigations of novel inhibitors targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in diseases.

We welcome diverse manuscript types, including original research articles, brief research reports, reviews, and mini-reviews.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, Cellular homeostasis, Disease pathogenesis, Therapeutic targets, Non-coding RNA

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.