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The multiple layers of non-genetic regulation of PTEN tumour suppressor activity

Nádia C Correia1, Ana Gírio1, Inês Antunes1

  • 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal.

European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|September 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Tumour suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is regulated by non-genomic mechanisms like epigenetic silencing and RNA regulation. Understanding PTEN

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Mutations and deletions in the tumour suppressor PTEN gene are common drivers of cancer.
  • PTEN function is also regulated by non-genomic mechanisms, including epigenetic, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications.
  • In certain cancers, like leukaemia, PTEN genetic alterations are rare, yet high PTEN expression may correlate with functional inactivation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the non-genomic mechanisms regulating PTEN.
  • To summarize the involvement of these mechanisms in cancer, with a focus on leukaemia.
  • To highlight the importance of PTEN's 'functional dose' beyond genetic status.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on epigenetic silencing, non-coding RNA regulation, and post-translational modification of PTEN.
  • Analysis of PTEN's role in various cancers, particularly leukaemia.
  • Synthesis of findings to evaluate PTEN's tumour suppressor activity.

Main Results:

  • PTEN is subject to epigenetic silencing, post-transcriptional regulation by non-coding RNAs, and post-translational modification.
  • These non-genomic mechanisms play significant roles in cancer development.
  • In leukaemia, PTEN functional inactivation can occur despite high PTEN expression levels, indicating complex regulatory networks.

Conclusions:

  • Evaluating PTEN's tumour suppressor role requires considering its 'functional dose', encompassing all regulatory layers.
  • Non-genomic mechanisms are critical for understanding PTEN's compromised function in cancer.
  • A comprehensive understanding of PTEN regulation is essential for assessing its impact in oncology, especially in cancers with uncommon PTEN genetic lesions.
Keywords:
CancerEpigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulationLeukaemiaNon-genetic inactivationPI3K–Akt/PKB pathwayPTENTumour suppressor

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