Protein tyrosine phosphatases: Structure, function, and implication in human disease

Abstract

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is a key regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cell physiology. Aberrant expression or function of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases can lead to serious human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, as well as cardiovascular, infectious, autoimmune, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we give an overview of the protein tyrosine phosphatase superfamily with its over 100 members in humans. We review their structure, function, and implications in human diseases, and discuss their potential as novel drug targets, as well as current challenges and possible solutions to developing therapeutics based on these enzymes. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.