Loss of function of the Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) tumor suppressor gene is associated with many human cancers. In the cytoplasm, PTEN antagonizes the Phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. PTEN also accumulates in the nucleus, where its function remains poorly understood. We demonstrate that SUMOylation (SUMO) of PTEN controls its nuclear localization. In cells exposed to genotoxic stress, SUMO-PTEN was rapidly excluded from the nucleus dependent on the protein kinase Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM). Cells lacking nuclear PTEN were hypersensitive to DNA damage, while PTEN-deficient cells were susceptible to killing by a combination of genotoxic stress and a small molecule PI3K inhibitor both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings may have implications for individualized therapy for patients with PTEN-deficient tumors.

CD44 and MMP-9 are implicated in cell migration. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that actin polymerization is critical for CD44 surface expression and MMP-9 activity on the cell surface. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in CD44 surface expression and MMP-9 activity on the cell surface, osteoclasts were treated with bisphosphonate (BP) alendronate, cytochalasin D (Cyt D), and a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor (GM6001). BP has been reported to block the mevalonate pathway, thereby preventing prenylation of small GTPase signaling required for actin cytoskeleton modulation. We show in this study that osteoclasts secrete CD44 and MMP-9 into the resorption bay during migration and bone resorption. Results indicate that actin polymerization is critical for CD44 surface expression and osteoclast function. In particular, the surface expression of CD44 and the membrane activity of MMP-9 are reduced in osteoclasts treated with alendronate and Cyt D despite the membrane levels of MMP-9 being unaffected. Although GM6001 blocked MMP-9 activity, osteoclast migration, and bone resorption, the surface levels of CD44 were unaffected. We suggest that the surface expression of CD44 requires actin polymerization. Disruption of podosome and actin ring structures by Cyt D and alendronate not only resulted in reduced localization of MMP-9 in these structures but also in osteoclast migration and bone resorption. These results suggest that inhibition of actin polymerization by alendronate and Cyt D is effective in blocking CD44/MMP-9 complex formation on the cell surface, secretion of active form of MMP-9, and osteoclast migration. CD44/MMP-9 complex formation may signify a unique motilityenhancing signal in osteoclast function.

p73, a member of the p53 tumor suppressor family, is involved in neurogenesis, sensory pathways, immunity, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. How p73 is able to participate in such a broad spectrum of different biological processes is still largely unknown. Here, we report a novel role of p73 in regulating lipid metabolism by direct transactivation of the promoter of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5), a gene whose product is required for autophagosome formation. Following nutrient deprivation, the livers of p73-deficient mice demonstrate a massive accumulation of lipid droplets, together with a low level of autophagy, suggesting that triglyceride hydrolysis into fatty acids is blocked owing to deficient autophagy (macrolipophagy). Compared with wild-type mice, mice functionally deficient in all the p73 isoforms exhibit decreased ATG5 expression and lower levels of autophagy in multiple organs. We further show that the TAp73a is the critical p73 isoform responsible for inducing ATG5 expression in a p53-independent manner and demonstrate that ATG5 gene transfer can correct autophagy and macrolipophagy defects in p73-deficient hepatocytes. These data strongly suggest that the p73-ATG5 axis represents a novel, key pathway for regulating lipid metabolism through autophagy. The identification of p73 as a major regulator of autophagy suggests that it may have an important role in preventing or delaying disease and aging by maintaining a homeostatic control. Cell Death and Differentiation (2013) 20, 1415-1424; doi:10.1038/cdd.2013.104; published online 2 August 2013 p73 belongs to the p53 family, a group of transcription factors that have key roles in the regulation of many cellular processes, such as apoptosis, cell cycle, and senescence, especially following DNA damage. 1-3 Whereas p53 is a tumor suppressor and often either deleted or mutated in tumors, p73 is rarely mutated; however, its expression is often deregulated in cancer. 4,5 In p73-deficient mice, unlike in p53-deficient mice, no increase in spontaneous tumorigenesis is observed. 6 It has been demonstrated, however, that p73, in the absence of DNA damage, has a role in neuronal differentiation and development. 6-9 Consequently, p73-deficient mice exhibit neurological defects and, even though no obvious deficiencies in lymphoid or granulocyte populations have been so far detected, such mice show deregulated inflammatory responses and senescence. 6,10 Because of splicing events occurring near the 3 0 end of the coding region and because of an alternative promoter located in the third intron of the gene, p73 exists as multiple protein variants. 11 The isoforms containing a transactivation (TA) domain (TAp73s) generally behave like p53 with respect to overlapping promoters and biological functions. 2,4 For instance, in contrast to p73-deficient mice, TAp73 knockout mice showed spontaneous as well as carcinogen-induced tumors, indicating that TAp73 is a tumor suppressor. 12 The alternative promoter also produces amino-terminal truncated DN isoforms, the so-called ...