PTEN: a tumour suppressor that functions as a phospholipid phosphatase.
The tumour suppressor PTEN has been implicated in a large number of human tumours and is conserved from humans to worms. Characterization of PTEN protein showed that it is a phosphatase that acts on proteins and on 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides, including phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate, and can therefore modulate signal-transduction pathways that involve lipid second messengers. Recent results indicate that at least part of its role is to regulate the activity of the serine/threonine kinase AKT/PKB, and thus influence cell survival signalling. This article discusses the function of PTEN and how this could be linked to its activity as a tumour suppressor.
Maehama
T
T
Dept of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, USA.
Dixon
J E
JE
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007295:Inositol Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000235:genetics; D008322:Mammals / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D007295:Inositol Phosphates; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D010743:Phospholipids; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C118500:inositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human