title: The regulation of oncogenic Ras/ERK signalling by dual-specificity mitogen activated protein kinase phosphatases (MKPs).
abstract: Dual-specificity MAP kinase (MAPK) phosphatases (MKPs or DUSPs) are well-established negative regulators of MAPK signalling in mammalian cells and tissues. By virtue of their differential subcellular localisation and ability to specifically recognise, dephosphorylate and inactivate different MAPK isoforms, they are key spatiotemporal regulators of pathway activity. Furthermore, as they are transcriptionally regulated as downstream targets of MAPK signalling they can either act as classical negative feedback regulators or mediate cross talk between distinct MAPK pathways. Because MAPKs and particularly Ras/ERK signalling are implicated in cancer initiation and development, the observation that MKPs are abnormally regulated in human tumours has been interpreted as evidence that these enzymes can either suppress or promote carcinogenesis. However, definitive evidence of such roles has been lacking. Here we review recent work based on the use of mouse models, biochemical studies and clinical data that demonstrate key roles for MKPs in modulating the oncogenic potential of Ras/ERK signalling and also indicate that these enzymes may play a role in the response of tumours to certain anticancer drugs. Overall, this work reinforces the importance of negative regulatory mechanisms in modulating the activity of oncogenic MAPK signalling and indicates that MKPs may provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer.
authors.affiliation: CR-UK Stress Response Laboratory, Division of Cancer Research, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kidger
authors.affiliation: CR-UK Stress Response Laboratory, Division of Cancer Research, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK. Electronic address: s.m.keyse@dundee.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Keyse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054637:Dual-Specificity Phosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D054639:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D054639:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatases; D054637:Dual-Specificity Phosphatases; D018631:ras Proteins
keywords: DUSP5; DUSP6/MKP-3; Dual-specificity phosphatase; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; MAP kinase; MAP kinase phosphatase; Ras oncogene