Functions and dysfunctions of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphatase (CaMKP/PPM1F) and CaMKP-N/PPM1E

Intracellular signal transduction is built on the basis of the subtle balance between phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphatase (CaMKP/PPM1F/POPX2) and CaMKP-N (PPM1E/POPX1) are Ser/Thr phosphatases that belong to the PPM (protein phosphatase, Mg²⁺/Mn²⁺-dependent) family. The former was discovered in rat brain as a novel protein phosphatase regulating Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMKs), whereas the latter was first identified in human cDNA databases using the rat CaMKP sequence. Subsequent studies have revealed that they are involved in various cellular functions through regulation of not only CaMKs but also other protein kinases such as AMP-activated protein kinase. Furthermore, accumulating evidence shows possible involvement of CaMKP and CaMKP-N in the pathogenesis of various diseases including cancer. Therefore, the biochemistry of CaMKP and CaMKP-N largely contributes to molecular medicine targeting these phosphatases. In this review, we summarized recent progress in the enzymology and biology of CaMKP and CaMKP-N. We also focused on etiology studies in which CaMKP and CaMKP-N are involved. Based on the emerging evidence, future perspectives of studies on these phosphatases and related issues to be elucidated are discussed.