PTEN Suppresses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Breast Cancer Stem Cell Activity by Down Regulating Abi1

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is implicated in breast-cancer invasion/metastasis. Cancer cells acquire stem cell properties to self-renew/form new tumors through EMT. PTEN converts PIP3 to PIP2, antagonizes the PI3K-Akt pathway to inhibit proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and this contributes to PTEN ’s tumor suppressor function. PTEN also processes protein phosphatase activities. Substrates of its protein phosphatase and their importance in cancer development/metastasis are largely unexplored.
Source: Journal of the American College of Surgeons - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Breast Source Type: research