epidermal nevus Mutations in the PIK3CA gene have been found in up to a quarter of people with a certain type of epidermal nevus (plural: nevi). Specifically, PIK3CA gene mutations are associated with some keratinocytic epidermal nevi, which are abnormal skin growths that are composed of skin cells called keratinocytes. PIK3CA gene mutations have not been found in other types of epidermal nevi. The most common PIK3CA gene mutation found in epidermal nevi replaces the amino acid glutamic acid with the amino acid glycine at position 545 of the p110α protein (written as Glu545Gly or E545G). Studies suggest that this mutation causes cells to grow and divide more than normal. The resulting overgrowth of skin cells leads to formation of epidermal nevi. The genetic changes associated with this condition are somatic mutations and are present only in the cells of the nevus. Despite the involvement of PIK3CA gene mutations in many cancers (described above) and the overgrowth of cells caused by changes in this gene, individuals with an epidermal nevus do not appear to have an elevated risk of developing cancer. head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Genetics Home Reference provides information about head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome At least five mutations in the PIK3CA gene have been found to cause Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. This condition is characterized by a red birthmark called a port-wine stain, abnormal overgrowth of soft tissues (such as skin and muscles) and bones, and vein malformations. The PIK3CA gene mutations associated with this condition are not inherited from a parent; they arise randomly in one cell during the early stages of development before birth. As cells continue to divide during development, cells arising from the first abnormal cell will have the mutation, and other cells will not. This mixture of cells with and without a genetic mutation is known as mosaicism. The PIK3CA gene mutations associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the p110α protein. These changes lead to production of an altered p110α subunit that makes PI3K abnormally active. The altered enzyme triggers unregulated chemical signaling in cells, which allows cells to grow and divide continuously. Increased cell proliferation leads to abnormal growth of the bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels. Despite the involvement of PIK3CA gene mutations in cancer (described below) and the overgrowth of cells caused by changes in this gene, individuals with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome do not appear to have an elevated risk of developing cancer. lung cancer Genetics Home Reference provides information about lung cancer. megalencephaly-capillary malformation syndrome At least 15 mutations in the PIK3CA gene have been found to cause a condition known as megalencephaly-capillary malformation syndrome (MCAP), which is characterized by overgrowth of the brain (megalencephaly) and abnormalities caused by enlargement of small blood vessels in the skin (capillary malformations). The mutations that cause MCAP overlap with those that cause Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (described above). These mutations are not inherited from a parent; they arise randomly in one cell during the early stages of development before birth and lead to mosaicism. The presence of the mutation in different tissues helps explain why multiple conditions can be caused by the same gene mutations. Most PIK3CA gene mutations involved in MCAP change single amino acids in the p110α protein. These mutations lead to the production of an altered p110α subunit that makes PI3K abnormally active. The resulting unregulated signaling allows cells to grow and divide continuously. Increased cell proliferation in the brain and other tissues and organs leads to the overgrowth characteristic of MCAP. Despite the involvement of the PIK3CA gene mutations in many cancers (described below) and the overgrowth of cells caused by changes in this gene, individuals with MCAP do not appear to have an elevated risk of developing cancer. ovarian cancer Genetics Home Reference provides information about ovarian cancer. cancers Mutations in the PIK3CA gene are found in many types of cancer, including cancer of the ovary, breast, lung, brain, and stomach. These mutations are also involved in cancer of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, which are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer. The PIK3CA gene mutations involved in cancer are somatic, which means they are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in cells that give rise to cancer. These mutations change single amino acids in the p110α protein. Two common mutations occur in the same region and change the amino acid glutamate at position 542 or at position 545 of the p110α protein to the amino acid lysine (written as Glu542Lys and Glu545Lys, respectively). Two other common mutations occur in another region, changing the amino acid histidine at position 1047 of p110α to the amino acid arginine or leucine (written as His1047Arg and His1047Leu, respectively). Cancer-associated PIK3CA gene mutations result in production of an altered p110α subunit that allows PI3K to signal without regulation. The increased signaling can contribute to an uncontrolled proliferation of cells, leading to the development of cancer. However, PIK3CA gene mutations may not cause cancer by themselves. Researchers suspect that some cases of cancer likely result from a combination of mutations in PIK3CA and mutations in other genes that influence cancer risk. other disorders Mutations in the PIK3CA gene, including those found in some cancers, have been found to cause several other conditions related to overgrowth of tissues. These conditions include hemimegalencephaly; fibroadipose hyperplasia; and a condition called congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal nevi, and skeletal or spinal abnormalities (CLOVES) syndrome. Hemimegalencephaly is characterized by enlargement of one side of the brain and can cause seizures and intellectual disability. Fibroadipose hyperplasia causes overgrowth of fibrous and fatty (adipose) tissues in various regions of the body, which leads to enlargement of different portions of the body, such as the lower body, an individual arm or leg, or one or more fingers or toes. CLOVES syndrome has multiple features, including an overgrowth of adipose tissue in the abdomen that is often associated with a reddish birthmark on the skin over it, in addition to blood vessel, skin, and bone abnormalities. It is unknown whether individuals with these disorders have an elevated risk of developing cancer. As in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, MCAP, and epidermal nevus (each described above), the genetic changes involved in these disorders occur early in development and are found in only some of the body's cells. This mosaicism helps explain why different conditions can be caused by the same gene mutations. Together, the overgrowth disorders caused by PIK3CA gene mutations are known as the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS).

     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).

The following transcription factors affect gene expression:

• FOXO3
• FOXO3a
• PPAR-gamma1
• CUTL1
• p53
• Egr-1
• FOXO4
• FOXO1a
• FOXO1
• p300

Molecular Function:

• 1-Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Activity
• 1-Phosphatidylinositol-4-Phosphate 3-Kinase Activity
• Atp Binding
• Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activity
• Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-Bisphosphate 3-Kinase Activity
• Protein Serine/Threonine Kinase Activity

Biological Processes:

• Adipose Tissue Development
• Angiogenesis
• Cardiac Muscle Contraction
• Cellular Response To Glucose Stimulus
• Endothelial Cell Migration
• Energy Homeostasis
• Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathway
• Erbb2 Signaling Pathway
• Fc-Epsilon Receptor Signaling Pathway
• Fc-Gamma Receptor Signaling Pathway Involved In Phagocytosis
• Glucose Metabolic Process
• Hypomethylation Of Cpg Island
• Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway Via Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
• Leukocyte Migration
• Liver Development
• Negative Regulation Of Anoikis
• Negative Regulation Of Fibroblast Apoptotic Process
• Negative Regulation Of Neuron Apoptotic Process
• Phosphatidylinositol Biosynthetic Process
• Phosphatidylinositol-Mediated Signaling
• Phosphatidylinositol Phosphorylation
• Phosphorylation
• Platelet Activation
• Positive Regulation Of Peptidyl-Serine Phosphorylation
• Protein Kinase B Signaling
• Regulation Of Cellular Respiration
• Regulation Of Gene Expression
• Regulation Of Genetic Imprinting
• Regulation Of Multicellular Organism Growth
• Regulation Of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signaling
• T Cell Costimulation
• T Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathway
• Vasculature Development
• Mitophagy In Response To Mitochondrial Depolarization

Drug Bank:

• Caffeine