title: The functions and regulation of the PTEN tumour suppressor.
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 protein-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.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Genetics Program, Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachuchetts 02215, USA. msong@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Min Sup
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salmena
authors.forename: Pier Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pandolfi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000201:enzymology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human