The role of myotubularin-related lipid phosphatases in cancer pathogenesis

Myotubularin-related proteins (MTMRs) comprise a family of lipid phosphatases using phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate as their substrate. Several members have a well-established role in the pathogenesis of human myopathies and neuropathies. There is a growing body of evidence that the portfolio of diseases where MTMRs play a role should be extended to cancer. MTMRs are thus closing the gap on their functional counterparts, the phosphatidylinositol kinases. MTMRs do not contribute to cancer initiation through driver mutations, but their expression in tumours is frequently altered, leading to defects in cell proliferation, migration or cell death. In some instances, MTMR misexpression contributes to resistance to cancer treatment. In this review we summarize the current knowledge with the emphasis on the molecular mechanisms underlying the MTMR function in cancer pathogenesis.