PTEN Gene Breakthrough: New Israeli Research Links Cancer and Autism Causes

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a groundbreaking scientific method that could significantly enhance our understanding of the PTEN gene, a crucial regulator of cellular growth. This innovative approach has the potential to shed new light on how cells grow and divide, paving the way for advancements in treating various conditions, including developmental disorders and multiple forms of cancer.

The PTEN gene provides instructions for making an enzyme that regulates cell division. It helps prevent cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way. The PTEN gene plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth and preventing cancer. Mutations in this gene can lead to a variety of health conditions, including cancer and developmental disorders.

The study, led by Dr. Tal Laviv in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University, was published in the prestigious journal Nature Methods.

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The research team explains that cells in the human body constantly adjust their size and rate of division to adapt to their environment throughout life. This process is crucial for normal development, as cells go through periods of precise growth regulation. When this process is disrupted, it can lead to severe diseases such as cancer and developmental disorders.

In the brain, controlling cellular growth is especially vital during early development, which takes place in the first years of life. While numerous genes contribute to this process, one stands out—PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homologue). This gene plays a pivotal role in regulating cell growth, and mutations in PTEN have been associated with various conditions, including autism, epilepsy, and cancer.

“Many studies have shown that PTEN is essential for regulating cell growth in the brain by providing a stop signal,” explains Dr. Tal Laviv. “This means PTEN activity is crucial for maintaining cells at their proper size and state. There is growing evidence that mutations in PTEN, which reduce its activity, contribute to diseases like autism, macrocephaly, cancer, and epilepsy. Despite the critical role PTEN plays in cellular function, scientists have had limited tools to measure its activity. For example, it was not possible to directly measure PTEN activity in an intact brain, which would greatly help our understanding of its role in health and disease.”

Dr. Laviv and his research team, led by MD-PhD student Tomer Kagan, have developed an innovative tool that directly measures PTEN activity with high sensitivity in various research models, including in the intact brains of mice. This groundbreaking technology, which combines advancements in genetic tools and microscopy, will allow scientists to gain deeper insights into why PTEN is so crucial for normal brain development. It could also improve our understanding of how PTEN-related diseases, such as cancer and autism, develop.

The researchers predict that this new tool will enable the development of personalized therapeutics by monitoring PTEN activity in various biological settings. Additionally, it could help identify diseases at earlier stages, potentially leading to faster and more effective treatments.