Motoneuron-Specific PTEN Deletion in Mice Induces Neuronal Hypertrophy and Also Regeneration after Facial Nerve Injury

Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) like PTEN can influence axon regeneration after nerve injury. This study investigates PTEN's role in peripheral neurons, specifically facial motoneurons in mice. The researchers found that deleting PTEN in these neurons led to larger neuron size and enhanced nerve regeneration after injury. This regeneration involved specific signaling pathways. However, in older mice, PTEN deletion also caused skin problems, suggesting that while PTEN inhibition can help with nerve regeneration in younger animals, it might have negative long-term consequences.

• 1
  PTEN loss induces somatic, axonal, and nerve hypertrophy and reduction in physiological whisker movement in uninjured motoneurons.
• 2
  PTEN deletion positively regulated facial nerve regeneration and recovery of whisker movement after nerve injury.
• 3
  Regenerating PTEN-deficient motoneurons upregulated P-CREB and a signaling pathway involving P-Akt, P-PRAS40, P-mTOR, and P-4EBP1.