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Stepping out of the shadows: Oncogenic and tumor-promoting protein tyrosine phosphatases

Ari Elson1

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|September 25, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are crucial regulators of cell signaling. While often tumor suppressors, this review highlights PTPs

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is essential for cellular and organismal functions.
  • Tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) dynamically regulate phosphorylation.
  • PTPs were historically viewed as tumor suppressors due to their dephosphorylating activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the oncogenic and tumor-promoting roles of classical tyrosine-specific PTPs.
  • To highlight the dual role of PTPs in cancer development.
  • To identify PTPs as potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on PTPs' transforming and tumor-promoting activities.
  • Analysis of evidence supporting PTPs as oncogenes or co-oncogenes in various cancers.
  • Examination of the mechanistic basis for PTPs' oncogenic functions.

Main Results:

  • Contrary to historical views, PTPs can act as dominant oncogenes driving cell transformation.
  • PTPs also support oncogene-driven transformation in specific cellular contexts.
  • Numerous PTPs exhibit significant transforming and tumor-promoting capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • The role of PTPs in cancer is complex, with both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic functions.
  • Targeting specific PTPs offers a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
  • Further research into PTPs' oncogenic mechanisms is warranted for drug development.
Keywords:
Breast cancerLymphomaOncogeneTumor promoterTyrosine phosphatase

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