Harnessing PTEN’s Growth Potential in Neuronal Development and Disease

PTEN is a powerful regulator of neuronal growth. It globally suppresses axon extension and branching during both nervous system development and regeneration, by antagonizing growth-promoting PI3K/PI(3,4,5)P(3) signaling. We recently identified that the transmembrane protein PRG2/LPPR3 functions as a modulator of PTEN function during axon morphogenesis. Our work demonstrates that through inhibition of PTEN activity, PRG2 stabilizes membrane PI(3,4,5)P(3). In turn, PRG2 deficiency attenuates the formation of branches in a PTEN-dependent manner, albeit without affecting the overall growth capacity of extending axons. Thus, PRG2 is poised to temporally and locally relieve growth suppression mediated by PTEN in neurons and, in effect, to redirect growth specifically to axonal branches. In this commentary, we discuss potential implications and unresolved questions regarding the regulation of axonal PTEN in neurons. Given their widespread implication during neuronal development and regeneration, identification of mechanisms that confer spatiotemporal control of PTEN may unveil new approaches to reprogram PI3K signaling in neurodevelopmental disorders and regeneration research.