A global analysis of the reconstitution of PTEN function by translational readthrough of PTEN pathogenic premature termination codons

Abstract

The PTEN tumor suppressor gene is mutated with high incidence in tumors and in thegermline of patients with cancer predisposition or with macrocephaly associatedwith autism.PTENnonsense mutations generating premature termination codons (PTC)and producing nonfunctional truncated PTEN proteins are frequent in association withhuman disease. However, there are no studies addressing the restoration of full‐lengthPTEN proteins from the PTC‐mutatedPTENgene by translational readthrough. Here,we have performed a global translational and functional readthrough analysis of thecomplete collection ofPTENPTC somatic or hereditary mutations found in tumors or inthegermlineofpatients(disease‐associated PTEN PTCome), and we set standards forthe analysis of the potential of readthrough functional reconstitution in disease‐relevant genes. Our analysis indicates that prevalent pathogenicPTENPTC mutationsare susceptible to PTEN functional restoration in response to readthrough‐inducingcompounds. Comprehensive readthrough analyses of disease‐associated PTComes willbe valuable tools for the implementation of readthrough‐based precision interventionsin specific groups of patients