AKT1 and cancer: In cancer cells, mTOR can be regulated by the mitogen-responsive signalling, such as PI3K/AKT which contributes to tumorigenesis and chemoresistance.14,39,40 Interestingly, we found that AKT phosphorylation was reduced in HCT116 and SW480 miR-27a_KD cells while increased in HT29 miR-27_OE (Fig. 4c).