Phosphatidylinositide 3 kinases (PI3Ks) and their downstream mediators AKT and mammalian
target of rapamycin (mTOR) constitute the core components of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR
signalling cascade, regulating cell proliferation, survival and metabolism. Although these
functions are well defined in the context of tumorigenesis, recent studies – in particular those
using pluripotent stem cells – have highlighted the importance of this pathway to development
and cellular differentiation. Here we review the recent in vitro and in vivo evidence for the role
PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling plays in the control of pluripotency and differentiation, with a
particular focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying these functions.