Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P43146 (tumour suppressor)
 5,935 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The tumour suppressor protein, PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10), is a phosphatase that can dephosphorylate tyrosine-containing peptides, Shc, focal adhesion kinase and phosphoinositide substrates. In cellular assays, PTEN has been shown to antagonize the PI-3K-dependent activation of protein kinase B (PKB) and to inhibit cell spreading and motility. It is currently unclear, however, whether PTEN accomplishes these effects through its lipid- or protein-phosphatase activity, although strong evidence has demonstrated the importance of the latter for tumour suppression by PTEN. By using a PTEN G129E (Gly(129)-->Glu) mutant that has lost its lipid phosphatase activity, while retaining protein phosphatase activity, we demonstrated a requirement for the lipid phosphatase activity of PTEN in the regulation of PKB activity, cell viability and membrane ruffling. We also made a small C-terminal deletion of PTEN, removing a putative PDZ (PSD95, Dlg and ZO1)-binding motif, with no detectable effect on the phosphatase activity of the protein expressed in HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney 293 cells) assayed in vitro. Surprisingly, expression of this mutant revealed differential requirements for the C-terminus in the different functional assays. Wild-type and C-terminally deleted PTEN appeared to be equally active in down-regulating PKB activity, but this mutant enzyme had no effect on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced membrane ruffling and was only partially active in a cell viability assay. These results stress the importance of the lipid phosphatase activity of PTEN in the regulation of several signalling pathways. They also identify a mutation, similar to mutations that occur in some human tumours, which removes the effect of PTEN on membrane ruffling but not that on PKB.
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PMID:Analysis of the cellular functions of PTEN using catalytic domain and C-terminal mutations: differential effects of C-terminal deletion on signalling pathways downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. 1069 13

The tumour suppressor protein PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) is a lipid phosphatase which can antagonize the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) signalling pathway, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cell-cycle progression and cell motility. We show that very little cellular PTEN is associated with the plasma membrane, but that artificial membrane-targeting of PTEN enhances its inhibition of signalling to protein kinase B (PKB). Evidence for potential targeting of PTEN to the membrane through PDZ domain-mediated protein-protein interactions led us to use a PTEN enzyme with a deletion of the C-terminal PDZ-binding sequence, that retains full phosphatase activity against soluble substrates, and to analyse the efficiency of this mutant in different cellular assays. The extreme C-terminal PDZ-binding sequence was dispensable for the efficient down-regulation of cellular PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels and a number of PI 3-kinase-dependent signalling activities, including PKB and p70S6K. However, the PDZ-binding sequence was required for the efficient inhibition of cell spreading. The data show that a PTEN mutation, similar to those found in some tumours, affects some functions of the protein but not others, and implicate the deregulation of PTEN-dependent processes other than PKB activation in the development of some tumours. Significantly, this hypothesis is supported by data showing low levels of PKB phosphorylation in a glioblastoma sample carrying a mutation in the extreme C-terminus of PTEN compared with tumours carrying phosphatase-inactivating mutations of the enzyme. Our data show that deregulation of PKB is not a universal feature of tumours carrying PTEN mutations and implicate other processes that may be deregulated in these tumours.
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PMID:Targeting mutants of PTEN reveal distinct subsets of tumour suppressor functions. 1143 92

Laryngeal papillomas are caused by infection of the laryngeal epithelium by human papillomavirus type 6 or type 11 (HPV-6/-11). Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated an increase in PI3 kinase levels in papilloma tissue. However, activation of the downstream effector of PI3 kinase, protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), was reduced. This observation was explained by the elevated expression of the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), a recently characterized tumour suppressor, in papilloma tissue. Recent investigation of the possible functional roles of PTEN during papilloma development has now indicated that the level of tyrosine(705)-phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 [PTyr(705)STAT3] could be inversely correlated to that of PTEN as well. In vitro phosphatase assays suggested the presence of an increased level of a PTyr(705)STAT3 phosphatase in papilloma extract. Immunodepletion of PTEN from papilloma extracts resulted in a reduction of the PTyr(705)STAT3 phosphatase activity. Transfection of PTEN cDNA into HeLa cells attenuated STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr(705) in a dose-dependent manner. This attenuation of STAT3 phosphorylation was independent of the STAT3 kinase. Interestingly, introduction of a lipid phosphatase mutant of PTEN (G129E) resulted in heightened PTyr(705)STAT3 phosphatase activity, relative to that obtained from wild-type PTEN transfection. These data indicate that PTEN negatively regulates STAT3 activation in HPV-infected papilloma cells. Induction of PTEN and reduction of activated STAT3 might be a result of a host defence mechanism or a virus-directed strategy to alter normal epithelial differentiation programming.
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PMID:PTEN is a negative regulator of STAT3 activation in human papillomavirus-infected cells. 1207 83

The direct mechanism by which the serine/threonine kinase Akt (also known as protein kinase B (PKB)) regulates cell growth is unknown. Here, we report that Drosophila melanogaster Akt/PKB stimulates growth by phosphorylating the tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (Tsc2) tumour suppressor and inhibiting formation of a Tsc1-Tsc2 complex. We show that Akt/PKB directly phosphorylates Drosophila Tsc2 in vitro at the conserved residues, Ser 924 and Thr 1518. Mutation of these sites renders Tsc2 insensitive to Akt/PKB signalling, increasing the stability of the Tsc1-Tsc2 complex within the cell. Stimulating Akt/PKB signalling in vivo markedly increases cell growth/size, disrupts the Tsc1-Tsc2 complex and disturbs the distinct subcellular localization of Tsc1 and Tsc2. Furthermore, all Akt/PKB growth signals are blocked by expression of a Tsc2 mutant lacking Akt phosphorylation sites. Thus, Tsc2 seems to be the critical target of Akt in mediating growth signals for the insulin signalling pathway.
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PMID:Akt regulates growth by directly phosphorylating Tsc2. 1222 18

Intracellular levels of phosphorylation are regulated by the coordinated action of protein kinases and phosphatases. Disregulation of this balance can lead to cellular transformation. Here we review knowledge of the mechanisms of one protein phosphatase, the tumour suppressor PTEN/MMAC/TEP 1 apropos its role in tumorigenesis and signal transduction. PTEN plays an important role in the phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) pathway by catalyzing degradation of phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-triphosphate generated by PI3-K. This inhibits downstream targets mainly protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), cell survival and proliferation. PTEN contributes to cell cycle regulation by blockade of cells entering the S phase of the cell cycle, and by upregulation of p27(Kip1) which is recruited into the cyclin E/cdk2 complex. PTEN also modulates cell migration and motility by regulation of the extracellular signal-related kinase - mitogen activated protein kinase (ERK-MAPK) pathway and by dephosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). We also emphasize the increasingly important role that PTEN has from an evolutionary point of view. A number of PTEN functions have been elucidated but more information is needed for utilization in clinical application and potential cancer therapy.
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PMID:The mechanism of action of the tumour suppressor gene PTEN. 1503 1

The tumour suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) shares homology with protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). Similarly, bisperoxovanadium (bpV) molecules that are well-established PTPase inhibitors were shown to inhibit PTEN, but at up to 100-fold lower concentrations. The preference and potency of the bpVs towards PTEN was validated in vivo as demonstrated by: (i) an increase of Ser473 phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) at similar low nanomolar doses, (ii) the lack of any effect on the PKB phosphorylation in the PTEN negative cell line UM-UC-3, (iii) the ability to rescue Ly294002-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibition and (iv) a lack of tyrosine phosphorylation at low nanomolar doses.
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PMID:Bisperoxovanadium compounds are potent PTEN inhibitors. 1514 64

Gene deletion studies in mice and in Drosophila have shown that the 40S ribosomal protein S6 Kinases, dS6K in Drosophila and S6K1 and S6K2 in mice are important regulators of cell growth in response to insulin stimulation and nutrition availability. Here we chiefly focus on dS6k and S6K1, whose activities are regulated by an upstream kinase termed the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR, or dTOR in Drosophila). Our understanding of the mechanisms regulating the mTOR/S6K1-signalling pathway will be fundamental in determining the mechanisms which control cell growth in response to insulin signalling. Recent findings from this laboratory and others suggests that the tumour suppressor complex made of two proteins TSC1/hamartin and TSC2/tuberin, acts as a negative regulator of mTOR/S6K1 signalling. Mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2 are genetically linked to tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) syndrome, which can lead to severe pathological consequences, including mental retardation, epilepsy and autism, as well as cardiac, pulmonary and renal failure. Despite a large number of initial reports on the TSC1/TSC2 complex, and the finding that its activity is regulated by protein kinase B (PKB), the direct target of the TSC1/TSC2 inhibitory complex was unknown until recently. Since TSC2 has a GTPase-activating domain, or GAP-like sequence, others and we searched for a small GTP binding protein, which may serve as the target of TSC1/TSC2 inhibitory complex. In our case we took advantage of a genome wide screen in Drosophila for effectors of cell growth and in parallel searched for a small GTPase whose activity is up-regulated in TSC2-deficient cells. The identified gene was a member of the Ras family of GTPases termed Ras homologue enriched in brain or Rheb. Here we review recent findings demonstrating that the TSC1/TSC2 inhibitory complex normally acts on Rheb to mediate mTOR/S6K1-signalling.
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PMID:The mTOR/S6K signalling pathway: the role of the TSC1/2 tumour suppressor complex and the proto-oncogene Rheb. 1556 27

PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) is well known as a tumour suppressor. In dephosphorylating the 3-position of the inositol ring of phosphoinositides such as PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), PTEN's lipid phosphatase activity is an important counteracting mechanism in PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) signalling. This is essential for cell motility and migration due to the achievement of a PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)/PtdIns(4,5)P(2) gradient that is also involved in metastasis. Furthermore, PTEN's tumour suppressor role is linked to the control of cell-cycle progression and cell proliferation by counteracting Akt (also called protein kinase B) signalling which is PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)-dependent. Akt is upstream of several kinases involved in proliferation and apoptotic signalling which are often found to be deregulated or mutated in tumours. However, Akt is also the key enzyme in insulin signalling regulating glucose uptake and cell growth. Therefore PTEN has recently moved into the spotlight as a drug target in diabetes. This review summarizes studies undertaken on PTEN's role in glucose uptake, insulin resistance, diabetes and its controversial role in GLUT (glucose transporter)-mediated glucose uptake. Currently available techniques for inhibiting PTEN and the suitability of PTEN as a drug target will be discussed.
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PMID:Inhibiting PTEN. 1737 Dec 53

PI3Ks (phosphoinositide-3 kinases) produce PIP3 (phosphatidylinositol(3,4,5)-trisphosphate) which mediates signals for cell survival and proliferation. The tumour suppressor PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue) dephosphorylates PIP3 and is a key negative regulator of PI3K signalling. Recent research highlighted important roles for PI3K/PTEN in cell polarization and directional cell migration, pointing to a significant role for PTEN in wound healing where spatially organized tissue growth is essential. Lai et al. (in this issue of British Journal of Pharmacology) have moved a step closer in utilizing PTEN for wound healing through pharmacological inhibition. Two vanadium derivative inhibitors targeting PTEN significantly elevated the level of phosphorylated Akt (protein kinase B) and nearly doubled the wound healing rate in monolayer cultures of lung and airway epithelial cells. Damage to airway and lung epithelia underlies a wide spectrum of significant clinical conditions. With further experiments, this promising approach may find potential clinical use in situations where enhanced wound healing of pulmonary and other epithelia is important.
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PMID:PTEN: a promising pharmacological target to enhance epithelial wound healing. 1792 22

Inactivation and silencing of PTEN have been observed in multiple cancers, including follicular thyroid carcinoma. PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome 10) functions as a tumour suppressor by opposing the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signalling pathway. Despite correlative data, how deregulated PTEN signalling leads to thyroid carcinogenesis is not known. Mice harbouring a dominant-negative mutant thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRbeta(PV/PV) mice) spontaneously develop follicular thyroid carcinoma and distant metastases similar to human cancer. To elucidate the role of PTEN in thyroid carcinogenesis, we generated TRbeta(PV/PV) mice haploinsufficient for Pten (TRbeta(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mouse). PTEN deficiency accelerated the progression of thyroid tumour and increased the occurrence of metastasis spread to the lung in TRbeta(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mice, thereby significantly reducing their survival as compared with TRbeta(PV/PV)Pten(+/+) mice. AKT activation was further increased by two-fold in TRbeta(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mice thyroids, leading to increased activity of the downstream mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-p70S6K signalling and decreased activity of the forkhead family member FOXO3a. Consistently, cyclin D1 expression was increased. Apoptosis was decreased as indicated by increased expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and decreased caspase-3 activity in the thyroids of TRbeta(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mice. Our results indicate that PTEN deficiency resulted in increased cell proliferation and survival in the thyroids of TRbeta(PV/PV)Pten(+/-) mice. Altogether, our study provides direct evidence to indicate that in vivo, PTEN is a critical regulator in the follicular thyroid cancer progression and invasiveness.
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PMID:PTEN deficiency accelerates tumour progression in a mouse model of thyroid cancer. 1899 18


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