Figure 8.

The role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway induced by HPV infection. E6 activates PI3K through the receptor protein tyrosine kinase or direct interaction with PI3K. Throughout phosphorylation, PI3K activates Akt. Activated Akt influences cell growth through the mammalian targets of rapamycin (mTOR) and angiogenesis. Due to the upregulation of the ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) and the blocking of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP), mTOR may increase cell proliferation. E6 also blocks tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2 (TSC1/2) to increase the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity to increase cell growth and block the proapoptotic Bad and Bax proteins.