Akt and emerging models for tumor cell energetics

Differences in energy metabolism between normal and cancer cells have been recognized for decades, but the responsible signaling pathways are just now being defined. Glucose metabolism is needed for growth and survival factor signaling, and a single oncogene, AKT , can recapitulate the aberrant glucose metabolism of tumors. Here, recent progress on understanding the biochemical basis for aberrant ATP production in tumors and how this understanding could lead to potential new therapies is reviewed.