Figure 1. FOXO functions.

The FOXO transcription factors serve as a counterpoint to Akt in the control of cell proliferation and gluconeogenesis. When active, as occurs when Akt activity is suppressed, FOXOs translocate to the nucleus where they initiate transcriptional programs for cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress protection, gluconeogenesis and autophagy. A brief list of a small subset of relevant target genes is listed for each function.