The expression of pAKT and pmTOR was also higher in CIN and tumours than in normal cells, whereas the expression of PTEN was decreased in CIN and tumour tissue compared with normal cells, suggesting a link between MKRN1 and the PI3K/AKT pathway (Fig. 2; Supplementary Table 2). Here, PTEN is linked to cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.