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phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha

The PIK3CA gene provides instructions for making the p110 alpha (p110α) protein, which is one piece (subunit) of an enzyme called phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). The p110α protein is called the catalytic subunit because it performs the action of PI3K, while the other subunit (produced by a different gene) regulates the enzyme's activity.

Normal function

The PIK3CA gene provides instructions for making the p110 alpha (p110α) protein, which is one piece (subunit) of an enzyme called phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). The p110α protein is called the catalytic subunit because it performs the action of PI3K, while the other subunit (produced by a different gene) regulates the enzyme's activity.

Like other kinases, PI3K adds a cluster of oxygen and phosphorus atoms (a phosphate group) to other proteins through a process called phosphorylation. PI3K phosphorylates certain signaling molecules, which triggers a series of additional reactions that transmit chemical signals within cells. PI3K signaling is important for many cell activities, including cell growth and division (proliferation), movement (migration) of cells, production of new proteins, transport of materials within cells, and cell survival. Studies suggest that PI3K signaling may be involved in the regulation of several hormones and may play a role in the maturation of fat cells (adipocytes).

Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome

Other names

p110-alpha

phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, catalytic, 110-KD, alpha

phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, catalytic, alpha polypeptide

phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha isoform

phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase 110 kDa catalytic subunit alpha

phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha

phosphoinositide-3-kinase, catalytic, alpha polypeptide

PI3-kinase p110 subunit alpha

PI3K

PI3K-alpha

PK3CA_HUMAN

ptdIns-3-kinase subunit p110-alpha

serine/threonine protein kinase PIK3CA

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Further reading and references

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
  • 18 Apr 2023 | Latest version
  • 1 Feb 2020 | Originally published

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