PI3K/AKT pathway-mediated regulation of p27 Kip1 is associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cervical cancer

Background The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 is known to act as a putative tumor suppressor in several human cancers, including cervical cancer. Down-regulation of p27Kip1 may occur either through transcription inhibition or through phosphorylation-dependent proteolytic degradation. As yet, the mechanism underlying p27Kip1 down-regulation and its putative downstream effects on cervical cancer development are poorly understood. Here we assessed the expression and sub-cellular localization of p27Kip1 and its effects on proliferation, cell cycle progression and (inhibition of) apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.