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PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)-dependent and -independent roles for PTEN in the control of cell migration

Nick R Leslie1, Xuesong Yang, C Peter Downes

  • 1Division of Molecular Physiology, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom. n.r.leslie@dundee.ac.uk

Current Biology : CB
|January 24, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) controls mesoderm cell migration in chick embryos. It regulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via protein phosphatase activity and directional movement through lipid phosphatase activity.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor that regulates cell signaling pathways.
  • PTEN has both lipid and protein phosphatase activities, with the latter's role being less understood.
  • PTEN's lipid phosphatase activity suppresses phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PTEN in controlling mesoderm cell migration during gastrulation in chick embryos.
  • To determine the specific phosphatase activities of PTEN involved in cell migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of wild-type PTEN and PTEN mutants in chick embryos.
  • Inhibition of PI3K signaling using specific inhibitors.
  • Analysis of cell migration, EMT, cell polarity, and directional movement of mesoderm cells.

Main Results:

  • PTEN overexpression inhibited EMT in anterior and middle primitive streak mesoderm cells, dependent on its PDZ binding site.
  • A PTEN mutant with only protein phosphatase activity (PTEN G129E) retained the ability to inhibit EMT.
  • Inhibition of PI3K or expression of PTEN mutants lacking PDZ binding sites disrupted cell polarity and directional migration.
  • Reactivated TPTE mutants caused nondirectional cell migration.

Conclusions:

  • PTEN regulates mesoderm cell migration through distinct mechanisms involving both protein and lipid phosphatase activities.
  • Protein phosphatase activity of PTEN is crucial for controlling EMT during gastrulation.
  • Lipid phosphatase activity of PTEN is essential for maintaining cell polarity and directional migration.

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