@article {Fayardre5, author = {Fayard, Elisabeth and Moncayo, Gerald and Hemmings, Brian A. and Holl{\"a}nder, Georg A.}, title = {Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signaling in Thymocytes: The Need for Stringent Control}, volume = {3}, number = {135}, pages = {re5--re5}, year = {2010}, doi = {10.1126/scisignal.3135re5}, publisher = {Science Signaling}, abstract = {The thymus serves as the primary site for the lifelong formation of new T lymphocytes; hence, it is essential for the maintenance of an effective immune system. Although thymocyte development has been widely studied, the mechanisms involved are incompletely defined. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular events that control regular thymocyte development will not only shed light on the physiological control of T cell differentiation but also probably provide insight into the pathophysiology of T cell immunodeficiencies, the molecular basis that underpins autoimmunity, and the mechanisms that instigate the formation of T cell lymphomas. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) play a critical role in thymocyte development, although not all of their downstream mediators have yet been identified. Here, we discuss experimental evidence that argues for a critical role of the PI3K-phosphoinositide{\textendash}dependent protein kinase (PDK1){\textendash}protein kinase B (PKB) signaling pathway in the development of both normal and malignant thymocytes, and we highlight molecules that can potentially be targeted therapeutically.}, issn = {1945-0877}, URL = {https://stke.sciencemag.org/content/3/135/re5}, eprint = {https://stke.sciencemag.org/content/3/135/re5.full.pdf}, journal = {Science Signaling} }