The functions and regulation of the PTEN tumour suppressor

Min Sup Song, Leonardo Salmena, Pier Paolo Pandolfi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1604 Scopus citations

Abstract

The importance of the physiological function of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) is illustrated by its frequent disruption in cancer. By suppressing the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway through its lipid phosphatase activity, PTEN governs a plethora of cellular processes including survival, proliferation, energy metabolism and cellular architecture. Consequently, mechanisms regulating PTEN expression and function, including transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation by non-coding RNAs, post-translational modifications and proteing-protein interactions, are all altered in cancer. The repertoire of PTEN functions has recently been expanded to include phosphatase-independent activities and crucial functions within the nucleus. Our increasing knowledge of PTEN and pathologies in which its function is altered will undoubtedly inform the rational design of novel therapies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)283-296
Number of pages14
JournalNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
Volume13
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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