Abstract
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.
Publication types
-
Comparative Study
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Amino Acid Sequence
-
Animals
-
DNA Mutational Analysis
-
DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
-
Evolution, Molecular
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
-
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
-
Genes, Lethal
-
Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
-
Helminth Proteins / genetics
-
Humans
-
Inositol Phosphates / metabolism
-
Invertebrates / genetics
-
Mammals / genetics
-
Mice
-
Mice, Knockout
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Neoplasms / enzymology
-
Neoplasms / genetics
-
PTEN Phosphohydrolase
-
Phosphatidylinositols / metabolism
-
Phospholipids / metabolism*
-
Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / physiology*
-
Phosphorylation
-
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
-
Sequence Alignment
-
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
-
Species Specificity
-
Substrate Specificity
-
Tumor Suppressor Proteins*
Substances
-
DNA, Neoplasm
-
Helminth Proteins
-
Inositol Phosphates
-
Phosphatidylinositols
-
Phospholipids
-
Tumor Suppressor Proteins
-
inositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate
-
Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
-
PTEN Phosphohydrolase
-
PTEN protein, human