Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and obesity

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a negative regulator of the leptin and insulin signaling pathways. The important roles of PTP1B related to obesity and diabetes were confirmed by a deletion of PTP1B gene in mice. Mice with the whole body deletion of PTP1B were protected against the development of obesity and diabetes. When PTP1B gene was deleted selectively in the brain of mice, the major effects on weight and glucose control were consistent with the whole body deletion of PTP1B. This is in contrast to the muscle-, liver-, and adipocyte-specific deletion, which had no beneficial effects on obesity. While these results indicate the importance of neuronal PTP1B in maintaining energy homeostasis, the peripheral PTP1B is also being investigated for their potential roles in the control of energy balance. Validation of PTP1B as a therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes prompted efforts to develop potent and selective inhibitors of PTP1B. Among the small molecule inhibitors investigated, trodusquemine, which acts both centrally and peripherally, is currently in phase 2 clinical trials. An approach using PTP1B-directed antisense oligonucleotides is also in phase 2 clinical trials.