Nonreceptor Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatases in Immune Cell Signaling

Annual Review of Immunology

Vol. 25:473-523 (Volume publication date 23 April 2007)
First published online as a Review in Advance on January 2, 2007
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.immunol.23.021704.115647

Abstract

AbstractTyrosyl phosphorylation plays a critical role in multiple signaling pathways regulating innate and acquired immunity. Although tyrosyl phosphorylation is a reversible process, we know much more about the functions of protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) than about protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Genome sequencing efforts have revealed a large and diverse superfamily of PTPs, which can be subdivided into receptor-like (RPTPs) and nonreceptor (NRPTPs). The role of the RPTP CD45 in immune cell signaling is well known, but those of most other PTPs remain poorly understood. Here, we review the mechanism of action, regulation, and physiological functions of NRPTPs in immune cell signaling. Such an analysis indicates that PTPs are as important as PTKs in regulating the immune system.

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