Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Assessing Cellular Target Engagement by SHP2 (PTPN11) Phosphatase Inhibitors
08:45

Assessing Cellular Target Engagement by SHP2 (PTPN11) Phosphatase Inhibitors

Published on: July 17, 2020

The tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 (PTPN11) in cancer

Gordon Chan1, Demetrios Kalaitzidis, Benjamin G Neel

  • 1Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. gordon.chan@uhnresearch.ca

Cancer Metastasis Reviews
|February 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) regulate cellular processes, but unlike tumor suppressors, Shp2 (PTPN11) acts as a proto-oncogene. Mutations in PTPN11 are linked to cancers and developmental syndromes, highlighting its role in disease.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cellular processes are regulated by tyrosyl phosphorylation, controlled by protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs).
  • Dysregulated phosphorylation, often due to PTK mutations, contributes to cancer and disease.
  • PTPs were expected to be tumor suppressors, but few have been identified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase Shp2 (encoded by PTPN11) in cellular signaling and disease pathogenesis.
  • To understand the implications of Shp2's function as a proto-oncogene.

Main Methods:

  • The abstract does not specify methods, focusing on established knowledge and implications.

Main Results:

  • Shp2 (PTPN11) is identified as a proto-oncogene, not a tumor suppressor.
  • Germline mutations in PTPN11 cause Noonan and LEOPARD syndromes.
  • Somatic PTPN11 mutations are found in hematologic malignancies like juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and some solid tumors.
  • Shp2 is crucial in multiple oncogenic signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Shp2 plays a critical role in oncogenesis and human diseases.
  • Understanding Shp2-mediated transformation may reveal new anti-cancer therapeutic targets.

More Related Videos

Development and Application of Rapamycin-regulated Tyrosine Phosphatases06:56

Development and Application of Rapamycin-regulated Tyrosine Phosphatases

Published on: September 6, 2024

Related Concept Videos

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...