Phosphatase and tensin homolog pseudogene 1 (PTENP1)

Phosphatase and tensin homolog pseudogene 1 (PTENP1), also known as PTEN2, psiPTEN, PTH2, PTEN-rs, or PTENpg1, is a processed pseudogene of the tumor suppressor PTEN. Unlike protein-coding genes, PTENP1 produces a long non-coding RNA transcript, which acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). PTENP1 enhances PTEN tumor suppressor function by sequestering microRNAs that would otherwise inhibit PTEN mRNA, thus upregulating PTEN protein levels. This regulatory activity has implications in cancer suppression, influencing tumor growth and chemoresistance, as well as in non-malignant conditions including insulin resistance and spinal cord injury. PTENP1 and its antisense transcript (PTENP1-AS) are being investigated as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and, in select contexts, as indirect therapeutic targets, particularly for overcoming drug resistance in cancer. However, PTENP1 is not an enzyme, receptor, transporter, or direct drug target, but rather acts through RNA-based molecular mechanisms[2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

PTEN2psiPTENPTH2PTEN-rsPTENpg1

Acts as a ceRNA (decoy) to bind PTEN-targeting miRNAs (e.g., miR-17, miR-19b, miR-20a, miR-106b, miR-200c, miR-21), elevating PTEN levels[2][4]