PTP1B has clinical implications in the treatment of
type 2 diabetes as well as cancer. Gene knockout studies conducted in murine models has provided substantial evidence for the role PTP1B plays in the regulation of
insulin signalling and the development of
obesity. PTPN1 knockout mice kept on high fat diets showed a resistance to
obesity and an increased degree of
insulin sensitivity as compared to their
wild-type counterparts. As such, the design and development of PTP1B inhibitors is a growing field of research for the treatment of
type 2 diabetes and
obesity. Although PTP1B is generally studied as a regulator of metabolism, some research suggest it may have a role in tumor development, though whether it is oncogenic or tumor suppressive is unclear, as there is data in support of both arguments. The high ROS concentrations within cancer cells provide an environment for potential constitutive inactivation of PTP1B and it has been shown in two human cancer cell lines
HepG2 and
A431, that up to 40% of the Cys215 residues in PTP1B can be selectively irreversibly oxidized under these cellular conditions resulting in non-functional PTP1B. In addition, PTPN1 genetic ablation in
p53 deficient mice resulted in an increased incidence of lymphomas and a decrease in overall survival rates. In contrast, the PTPN1 gene has been shown to be overexpressed in conjunction with
HER2 in
breast cancer cases. Murine models of
HER2 overexpression in conjunction with PTPN1 knockout resulted in delayed tumor growth and with fewer observed
metastases to the lung suggesting that PTPN1 may have an oncogenic role in
breast cancer. == See also ==