PTP-NP, a New Member of the Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Family, Implicated in Development of Nervous System and Pancreatic Endocrine Cells

Summary The Flanagan Lab discovered a new member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family, called PTP-NP (for neural and pancreatic). The regulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation is an important mechanism for developmental control. The cDNA sequence indicates a receptor-type transmembrane molecule with a single tyrosine phosphatase domain. PTP-NP was initially identified in a screen for potential cell-cell signaling molecules involved in early development of the nervous system. In addition to its neural expression, PTP-NP was also detected in the developing pancreas at early organogenesis. Additionally, the Flanagan lab showed that an alkaline phosphatase NP-AP fusion protein binds strongly to pancreatic islets, suggesting a ligand-receptor signaling pathway that could be involved in the control of pancreatic endocrine cells.



Applications Cell-cell signaling in development of pancreatic tissues; potential applications in juvenile diabetes.

Patents:
US 6,399,326

Inventor(s): Flanagan, John G

Type of Offer: Licensing



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