Redefining the PTEN promoter: identification of two upstream transcription start regions

Germline mutation of PTEN is causally observed in Cowden syndrome (CS) and is one of the most common genetic causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the majority of individuals who present with CS-like clinical features are found to be PTEN-mutation negative. Reassessment of PTEN promoter regulation may help explain abnormal PTEN dosage, as only the minimal promoter and coding regions are currently included in diagnostic PTEN mutation analysis.

We reanalyzed the architecture of the PTEN promoter using next-generation sequencing datasets. Specifically, run-on sequencing assays identified two additional TSRs at −2052 and −1907 basepairs from the start of PTEN, thus redefining the PTEN promoter and extending the PTEN 5’UTR. The upstream TSRs described are active in cancer cell lines and human cancer and normal tissue. Further, these TSRs can produce novel PTEN transcripts due to the introduction of new splice sites. Evaluation of transcription factor binding specific to the upstream TSRs shows overrepresentation of TFs involved in inflammatory processes.

Together, these data suggest that potentially clinically relevant promoter variants upstream of the known promoter may be overlooked in indivduals considered PTEN germline mutation-negative and may also explain lack of PTEN expression in sporadic neoplasias without PTEN somatic structural defects.