Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Fluorescence Microscopy for ATP Internalization Mediated by Macropinocytosis in Human Tumor Cells and Tumor-xenografted Mice
Published on: June 30, 2021
ATP modulates PTEN subcellular localization in multiple cancer cell lines
Glenn P Lobo1, Kristin A Waite, Sarah M Planchon
1Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, NE-50, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Abstract:
The tumour suppressor gene PTEN plays an important somatic role in both hereditary and sporadic breast carcinogenesis. While the role of PTEN's lipid phosphatase activity, as a negative regulator of the cytoplasmic phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt pathway is well known, it is now well established that PTEN exists and functions in the nucleus. Multiple mechanisms of regulating PTEN's subcellular localization have been reported. However none are ubiquitous across multiple cancer cell lines and tissue types. We show here that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regulates PTEN subcellular localization in a variety of different cancer cell lines, including those derived from breast, colon and thyroid carcinomas. Cells deficient in ATP show an increased level of nuclear PTEN protein. This increase in PTEN is reversed when cells are supplemented with ATP, ADP or AMP. In contrast, the addition of the non-hydrolyzable analogue ATPgammaS, did not reverse nuclear PTEN protein levels in all the cell types tested. To our knowledge, this is the first report that describes a regulation of PTEN subcellular localization that is not specific to one cell line or tissue type, but appears to be common across a variety of cell lineages.
Insights
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regulates the location of the tumor suppressor PTEN within cells. Lower ATP levels increase nuclear PTEN, impacting cancer development across various cell types.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The tumor suppressor gene PTEN is crucial in breast cancer development.
- PTEN's role in regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway is known, but its nuclear functions are increasingly recognized.
- Existing mechanisms for PTEN's subcellular localization are not universally applicable across different cell types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in regulating PTEN's subcellular localization.
- To determine if ATP-mediated regulation of PTEN localization is conserved across diverse cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Utilized various cancer cell lines (breast, colon, thyroid).
- Manipulated intracellular ATP levels.
- Assessed PTEN protein levels in the nucleus under different conditions.
Main Results:
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was identified as a regulator of PTEN subcellular localization.
- ATP-deficient cells exhibited increased nuclear PTEN protein.
- Supplementation with ATP, ADP, or AMP reversed the increase in nuclear PTEN.
- Non-hydrolyzable ATP analogue (ATPgammaS) did not consistently reverse nuclear PTEN levels.
Conclusions:
- ATP influences PTEN's location within the cell, affecting its function.
- This ATP-dependent regulation of PTEN localization appears to be a common mechanism across multiple cancer cell lineages.
- Findings suggest a novel, broadly applicable mechanism influencing PTEN's role in carcinogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
Abnormal Proliferation
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
ATP Synthase: Mechanism
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.