The Axonal Membrane Protein PRG2 Inhibits PTEN and Directs Growth to Branches

PTEN globally suppresses growth in multiple cell types and inhibits neuronal axon growth and branching. Brosig et al. describe a mechanism for developing neurons to inhibit PTEN function by upregulating PRG2 in the axon. Although the overall growth capacity of neurons remains constant, PRG2 redirects growth to axon branches.