[Study on the PTEN Tumor Suppressor Gene]
PTEN (also designated MMAC1) gene is a new tumor suppressor gene proved to be a lipid phosphatase. The target lipid, called phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate, PIP3, and it is a key component of the major cell growth control pathways, acting both to stimulate cell growth and to inhibit tumor cell proliferation blocking apoptosis. PTEN mutations have been linked to a variety of human cancers. Mutations of PTEN during tumorigenesis allow the mutated cells to grow unchecked when they should die.
Feng
Hai-Feng
HF
Institute of Hematology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.