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Sci. Signal., 13 November 2012
Vol. 5, Issue 250, p. pe50
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2003685]

PERSPECTIVES

PTEN: An Intercellular Peacekeeper?

Nick R. Leslie*

Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Black Centre, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.

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.

* Corresponding author. E-mail: n.r.leslie{at}dundee.ac.uk

Citation: N. R. Leslie, PTEN: An Intercellular Peacekeeper? Sci. Signal. 5, pe50 (2012).

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