Fig. 2. A model for the regulation of p53 by the AKT pathway under growth/survival conditions and under stress signals. The negative regulation of p53 by AKT is induced in response to survival signals from Mdm2. The activation of this pathway leads to the inhibition and destruction of p53. Under stress conditions this pathways is blocked through the cleavage and degradation of AKT, and the inhibition of PI3K through PTEN. Both of these activities are induced by p53. In this model survival is achieved by inhibition of p53 by AKT, whereas apoptosis is achieved by counteracting AKT by p53. p53 target genes are shown in red. Green arrows represent activation, whereas red arrows represent inhibition.

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