Overview:

The PI3K comprises of a 110 kDa catalytic subunit and an 85 kDa regulatory subunit. A number of isoforms of the 110 kDa catalytic subunit and the 85 kDa regulatory subunit exist in cells. The p110 alpha catalytic subunit (PIK3CA) is frequently mutated or amplified in a variety of cancers including ovarian and colon and this protein is one of the PI3K mutants (1). PIK3CA gene copy number is increased in over 30% of ovarian cancers and this leads to increased PI3-kinase activity. Furthermore, the activity of p110 alpha is essential for vascular development and inactivation of p110 alpha leads to severe defects in angiogenic sprouting and vascular remodeling (2).

Genbank Number:

NM_006218
NM_181523.

References:

1. Samuels, Y. et al: High frequency of mutations of the PIK3CA gene in human cancers. Science 304: 554 only, 2004.
2. Graupera, M.et al: Angiogenesis selectively requires the p110-alpha isoform of PI3K to control endothelial cell migration. Nature 453: 662-666, 2008.