Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Assessing Cellular Target Engagement by SHP2 PTPN11 Phosphatase Inhibitors
Published on: July 17, 2020
Shp1 in Solid Cancers and Their Therapy
Alessia Varone1, Daniela Spano1, Daniela Corda1,2
1Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
Shp1 is a cytosolic tyrosine phosphatase that regulates a broad range of cellular functions and targets, modulating the flow of information from the cell membrane to the nucleus. While initially studied in the hematopoietic system, research conducted over the past years has expanded our understanding of the biological role of Shp1 to other tissues, proposing it as a novel tumor suppressor gene functionally involved in different hallmarks of cancer. The main mechanism by which Shp1 curbs cancer development and progression is the ability to attenuate and/or terminate signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. Thus, alterations in Shp1 function or expression can contribute to several human diseases, particularly cancer. In cancer cells, Shp1 activity can indeed be affected by mutations or epigenetic silencing that cause failure of Shp1-mediated homeostatic maintenance. This review will discuss the current knowledge of the cellular functions controlled by Shp1 in non-hematopoietic tissues and solid tumors, the mechanisms that regulate Shp1 expression, the role of its mutation/expression status in cancer and its value as potential target for cancer treatment. In addition, we report information gathered from the public available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database on Shp1 genomic alterations and correlation with survival in solid cancers patients.
Insights
The tyrosine phosphatase Shp1 acts as a tumor suppressor by regulating cell signaling. Altered Shp1 function or expression contributes to cancer, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Shp1 (tyrosine phosphatase) regulates cellular functions and signal transduction.
- Initially studied in hematopoietic cells, Shp1's role in other tissues and cancer is increasingly recognized.
- Shp1 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cancer hallmarks like proliferation and migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Shp1's functions in non-hematopoietic tissues and solid tumors.
- To discuss mechanisms regulating Shp1 expression and its role in cancer.
- To evaluate Shp1 as a potential cancer therapeutic target, including TCGA data analysis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Shp1's cellular functions and cancer relevance.
- Analysis of mechanisms controlling Shp1 expression.
- Examination of Shp1 mutations and expression status in various cancers.
- Bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data for Shp1 genomic alterations and patient survival correlation.
Main Results:
- Shp1 attenuates signaling pathways crucial for cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion.
- Mutations or epigenetic silencing of Shp1 disrupt homeostatic maintenance, contributing to cancer development.
- TCGA data analysis provides insights into Shp1 genomic alterations and their impact on survival in solid tumors.
Conclusions:
- Shp1 plays a critical role in suppressing tumor development and progression across various cancers.
- Dysregulation of Shp1 function or expression is implicated in human diseases, particularly cancer.
- Targeting Shp1 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...