Figure 7.

A schematic model for how Akt mediates the induced pluripotent stem (iPS) process through direct or indirect regulation of posttranslational modifications of iPS-inducing factors. Akt directly phosphorylates Oct4 to modulate its interaction with Sox2, leading to a shift of Oct4/Sox2-mediated transcription events. Akt may also activate p300 to promote acetylation of Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 at multiple sites to change their transcription activity. Furthermore, Akt phosphorylates GSK3, resulting in reduced Klf4 phosphorylation by GSK3 that could possibly trigger Fbw7-mediated degradation of Klf4.