Deubiquitination and stabilization of PTEN by USP13

The tumor suppressor PTEN is frequently lost in human cancers. In addition to gene mutations and deletions, recent studies have revealed the importance of post-translational modifications, such as ubiquitination, in the regulation of PTEN stability, activity and localization. However, the deubiquitinase that regulates PTEN poly-ubiquitination and protein stability remains unknown. Here we screened a total of 30 deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) and identified five DUBs that physically associate with PTEN. One of them, USP13, stabilizes PTEN protein via direct binding and deubiquitination of PTEN. Loss of USP13 in breast cancer cells promotes AKT phosphorylation, cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, glycolysis and tumor growth through downregulation of PTEN. Conversely, overexpression of USP13 suppresses tumorigenesis and glycolysis in PTEN-positive but not PTEN-null breast cancer cells. Importantly, USP13 protein is downregulated in human breast tumors and correlates with PTEN protein levels. These findings identify USP13 as a tumor-suppressing protein that functions through deubiquitination and stabilization of PTEN.