In a paper published by Scientific Reports today, the research team found the activity of this protein, called PTEN (for Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10), is different between men and women. (sciencedaily.com)
Western blot analysis showed that phosphoinositide - dependent protein kinase 1, the upstream kinase that phosphorylates Akt, and several phosphatases (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10, protein phosphatase 1, and protein phosphatase 2A), known as negative regulators of the PI3K / Akt signaling pathway, were unchanged upon VPA treatment (Supplemental Fig. 4E), indicating that VPA might act on Akt directly. (jimmunol.org)
Page and his colleagues, who use animal models to understand how autism risk factors impact the developing brain and to identify potential treatments for the condition, have found that animals with mutations in the autism risk gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) mimic aspects of autism, including increased brain size, social deficits and increased repetitive behavior. (sciencedaily.com)