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Updated: May 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Developing Tools to Tune the Activity of Tyrosine Phosphatases
Published on: September 6, 2024
SETting OP449 into the PP2A-activating drug family
Paolo Neviani1, Danilo Perrotti
1Authors' Affiliations: The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio; and Department of Medicine, The Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is crucial for suppressing tumors but is inactivated in leukemia by inhibitors like SET. The drug OP449 activates PP2A by inhibiting SET, thus hindering leukemia development and supporting its use in patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) acts as a tumor suppressor.
- PP2A is inactivated in various leukemias by endogenous inhibitors, notably SET.
- Oncogenic tyrosine kinases aberrantly regulate these inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of PP2A-activating drugs (PADs) in leukemia.
- To determine if OP449, a PAD, can inhibit SET and affect leukemogenesis.
Main Methods:
- The study focuses on the molecular mechanisms of PP2A inhibition and activation.
- Experimental validation of OP449's effect on SET activity and leukemic cell growth.
Main Results:
- OP449 effectively inhibits the activity of SET, a key PP2A inhibitor.
- Inhibition of SET by OP449 impairs leukemogenesis, demonstrating a functional anti-leukemic effect.
Conclusions:
- PP2A-activating drugs, exemplified by OP449, show promise in combating leukemia.
- OP449's ability to counteract SET-mediated PP2A inactivation supports its clinical application in leukemia treatment.
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