PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog) is a critical tumor suppressor gene that plays a significant role in regulating cell growth. It encodes for a protein that acts as a phosphatase, involved in the dephosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate, a crucial molecule in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. PTEN thereby helps in controlling cell cycle progression and preventing uncontrolled cell proliferation.
