Marks as modifers of the PTEN pathway and methods of use

A method of identifying a phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) pathway modulating agent, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first assay system comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 5 (a polynucleotide that encodes sucrose non-fermenting like kinase-1;
• SNF1LK) or a functionally active fragment thereof, wherein the functionally active fragment encodes a polypeptide comprising amino acid residues 27-278 of SNF1LK and has kinase activity, and wherein the assay system is capable of detecting the expression or activity of SEQ ID NO:
• 5;
• (b) contacting the first assay system with a test agent that modulates the expression or activity of SEQ ID NO:
• 5;
• (c) identifying the test agent as a PTEN pathway modulating agent by determining a difference in the expression or activity of SEQ ID NO:
• 5 in the assay system in the presence of the test agent of step (b) compared with the expression or activity of SEQ ID NO:
• 5 in the absence of the test agent;
• (d) providing a second assay system comprising cultured cells expressing SEQ ID NO:
• 5 that measures a change in the PTEN pathway, wherein the assay is a FOXO nuclear translocation assay;
• (e) contacting the second assay system with the test agent of step (b);
• and
• (f) confirming the test agent as a PTEN pathway modulating agent by determining a change in the PTEN pathway in the second assay system in the presence of said test agent compared with the absence of said test agent.