Figure 2. [68GA]-DOTA

Intracellular signalling pathways in neuroendocrine tumours showing the PI3k/AKT/mTOR; RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK; PLC/PKC and JAK/STAT pathways.

The Ras-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathways are the cell's chief mechanisms for controlling cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, metabolism, and motility in response to extracellular cues. Components of these pathways were among the first to be discovered when scientists began cloning proto-oncogenes and purifying cellular kinase activities.

SSR: somatostatin receptor
PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase
RAS: rat sarcoma protein
PLC: phospholipase C
PKC: protein kinase C
JAK/STAT: Janus kinase signal transducer and activator of transcription.

- Mendoza M. The Ras-ERK and PI3K-mTOR Pathways: Cross-talk and Compensation; Trends Biochem Sci. 2011 June ; 36(6): 320–328