DUSP10/MKP5 Antibody #3483

MAP kinases are inactivated by dual-specificity protein phosphatases (DUSPs) that differ in their substrate specificity, tissue distribution, inducibility by extracellular stimuli, and cellular localization. DUSPs, also known as MAPK phosphatases (MKPs), specifically dephosphorylate both threonine and tyrosine residues in MAPK P-loops and have been shown to play important roles in regulating the function of the MAPK family (1,2). At least 13 members of the family (DUSP1-10, DUSP14, DUSP16, and DUSP22) display unique substrate specificities for various MAP kinases (3). MAPK phosphatases typically contain an amino-terminal rhodanese-fold responsible for DUSP docking to MAPK family members and a carboxy-terminal catalytic domain (4). These phosphatases can play important roles in development, immune system function, stress responses, and metabolic homeostasis (5). In addition, research studies have implicated DUSPs in the development of cancer and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy (6).

DUSP10, or MKP5, selectively phosphorylates and inactivates p38α MAP kinase and JNK, but does not appear to affect p44/42 MAPK. Activated JNK phosphorylates the ATF2 transcription factor during periods of oxidative stress, which induces expression of DUSP10 and related phosphatases. Increased DUSP10 activity helps to further coordinate JNK activity during the stress response (7). Studies using DUSP10 deficient mice demonstrated a likely role of this phosphatase in both the adaptive and innate immune responses (8).