In vitro studies aimed at revealing molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of eEF-2K down-regulation suggest that eEF-2K maintains the expression of several pro-tumorigenic proteins in breast cancer cells (e.g. c-Myc and cyclin D1), and is important for the constitutive activity of c-Src, focal adhesion kinase and Akt. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is breast carcinoma.