PI(3,4)P2: a New Marker for Tumor Progression (IMAGE)

Babraham Institute

PI(3,4)P2: a New Marker for Tumor Progression

Caption

The protein produced by the key cancer gene PTEN is involved in the destruction of a signalling molecule called PI(3,4)P2. Amount of PI(3,4)P2 seems to be linked to cancer growth and progression, especially in the prostate. Shown here is an image of early stage-prostate cancer where the cancer cells lack the PTEN and INPP4B genes. Grey/white cells are normal, whilst the early tumours contain high levels of PI(3,4)P2 (red, orange and yellow cells). This image highlights the key finding: that PTEN directly 'destroys' PI(3,4)P2 and that PI(3,4)P2 is a marker for tumour growth and progression.

Credit

Image captured by A. Kielkowska and adapted by T. Chessa

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Credit: A. Kielkowska and T. Chessa

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