PTEN gene

S., Yaiima, A., Sato, M., Fujimura, S., and Horii, A., 1999, Adenoviras-mediated delivery of the PTEN gene inhibits ceU growth by induction of apoptosis in endometrial cancer. Int. 

Wick, W., Fumar, F.B., Naumann. U., Cavenee, W.K., Weller, M. 1999, PTEN gene transfer in human malignant glioma sensitization to irradiation and CD95L-induced apoptosis. Oncogene 18 3936-3943. 

Conversely, genes whose protein products stimulate apoptosis behave as tumor suppressors. An example is the PTEN gene discussed In Chapter 14. The phosphatase encoded by this gene dephosphorylates phosphatidyllnositol 3,4,5-trlsphosphate, a second messenger that functions In activation of protein kinase B (see Figure 14-27). Cells lacking PTEN phosphatase have elevated levels of phosphatidyllnositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and active protein kinase B, which promotes cell survival and prevents apoptosis by several pathways. Thus PTEN acts as a pro-apoptotlc tumor suppressor by decreasing the antl-apoptotic effect of protein kinase B. 

Ikeda, T., Yoshinaga, K., Suzuki, A., Sakurada, A., Ohmori, H., and Horii, A. (2000). Anticorresponding mutations of the KRAS and PTEN genes in human endometrial cancer. Oncol. Rep. 7(3), 567-570. 

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