Physiological Functions of PP2A: Lessons from Genetically Modified Mice
January 2019
in “
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research
”
TLDR Mice studies show that Protein Phosphatase 2A is crucial for cell growth, development, and disease prevention.
The document reviews the role of Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in various physiological processes as determined by studies on 63 genetically modified mouse models. PP2A is a significant Ser/Thr phosphatase involved in cellular processes, and its dysfunction is linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and diabetes. The studies demonstrate PP2A's essential functions in germ cell maturation, embryonic development, metabolic regulation, tumor suppression, and tissue homeostasis, with specific findings on its role in spermatogenesis, oocyte formation, and tau phosphorylation. The review underscores the complexity of PP2A regulation due to multiple genes encoding its subunits and regulators, and the importance of further research using advanced gene targeting technologies to fully understand PP2A's physiological and pathological roles, as well as its therapeutic potential.
