A biosensor to monitor dynamic regulation and function of tumour suppressor PTEN in living cells.

Publication — IRIC

Tumour suppressor PTEN is a phosphatase that negatively regulates the PI3K/AKT pathway. The ability to directly monitor PTEN conformation and function in a rapid, sensitive manner is a key step towards developing anti-cancer drugs aimed at enhancing or restoring PTEN-dependent pathways. Here we developed an intramolecular bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensor, capable of detecting signal-dependent PTEN conformational changes in live cells. The biosensor retains intrinsic properties of PTEN, enabling structure-function and kinetic analyses. BRET shifts, indicating conformational change, were detected following mutations that disrupt intramolecular PTEN interactions, promoting plasma membrane targeting and also following physiological PTEN activation. Using the biosensor as a reporter, we uncovered PTEN activation by several G protein-coupled receptors, previously unknown as PTEN regulators. Trastuzumab, used to treat ERBB2-overexpressing breast cancers also elicited activation-associated PTEN conformational rearrangement. We propose the biosensor can be used to identify pathways regulating PTEN or molecules that enhance its anti-tumour activity.

Publication date: July 17, 2014
Principal Investigators: Lima-Fernandes E, Misticone S, Boularan C, Paradis JS, Enslen H, Roux PP, Bouvier M, Baillie GS, Marullo S, Scott MG
PubMed reference: Nat Commun 2014;5:4431
PubMed ID: 25028204
Affiliation: 1] Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Inserm, U1016, Institut Cochin, 27 rue du Faubourg St Jaques, Paris 75014, France [2] CNRS, UMR8104, Paris 75014, France [3] University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris 75014, France [4].