AKT1 and cancer: Similarly, ZIP4 induces EMT-promoting migration and invasion through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).77 Additionally, elevated expression of ZIP13 activates the Src/FAK pathway, leading to increased expression of pro-tumor metastatic genes but decreased expression of tumor suppressor genes in ovarian cancer.73 Overall, cancer cells appear to require stimulation of oncogenic pathways by zinc to maintain their aggressiveness.