The two faces of PTP1B in cancer

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Mar;1804(3):613-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2009.09.018. Epub 2009 Sep 24.

Abstract

PTP1B is a classical non-transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase that plays a key role in metabolic signaling and is a promising drug target for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Accumulating evidence also indicates that PTP1B is involved in cancer, but contrasting findings suggest that it can exert both tumor suppressing and tumor promoting effects depending on the substrate involved and the cellular context. In this review, we will discuss the diverse mechanisms by which PTP1B may influence tumorigenesis as well as recent in vivo data on the impact of PTP1B deficiency in murine cancer models. Together, these results highlight not only the great potential of PTP1B inhibitors in cancer therapy but also the need for a better understanding of PTP1B function prior to use of these compounds in human patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / enzymology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / enzymology*
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PTPN1 protein, human
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1
  • Ptpn1 protein, mouse