Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) is composed of p85 and p110 subunits. p85 lacks PI 3-kinase activity and acts as an adapter, coupling p110 to activated protein tyrosine kinase. Two forms of p85 have been described (p85α and p85β), each possessing one SH3 and two SH2 domains. Various p110 isoforms have been identified. p110α and p110β interact with p85α, and p110α has also been shown to interact with p85β in vitro. p110γ expression is restricted to white blood cells. It has been shown to bind p85α and β, but it apparently does not phosphorylate these subunits. p110γ seems to have the capacity to autophosphorylate. p110 does not interact with the p85 subunits. It has been shown to be activated by α and β heterotrimeric G proteins.
