PTEN: an intercellular peacekeeper?

Sci Signal. 2012 Nov 13;5(250):pe50. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.2003685.

Abstract

It is generally assumed that cells synthesize their own intracellular enzymes. Therefore, if expression of a specific gene is silenced in a potential cancer cell, it is expected that loss of protein function will follow. A provocative study indicates an unexpected mechanism of intercellular tumor suppression, showing that PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10), a cytosolic enzyme, can be transferred between cells in exosomes to suppress signaling and proliferation in target cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human