This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of apoptotic cell-death. In particular the invention relates to Akt molecules and their use in inhibiting apoptotic cell-death in cardiomyocytes, skeletal myocytes and/or vascular endothelial cells. In view of these discoveries, Akt molecules can be used to inhibit apoptotic cell-death of any of the foregoing cells, and in particular, to treat conditions (e.g., myocardial infarction) that result in increased apoptotic cell-death of cardiomyocytes, skeletal myocytes and/or vascular endothelial cells.