How proteins called protein tyrosine phosphatases control cell signaling in cancer
Structure/Function of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
This project looks at specific cell-signaling proteins (protein tyrosine phosphatases) to help develop new treatments for people with cancers caused by abnormal signaling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294183 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will determine the shapes and molecular functions of protein tyrosine phosphatases using biochemical tests and structural biology, then test how small molecules change their activity in cells and animal models tied to human cancer. The team will build on prior work on targets like PRL2 and will focus next on SHP1 (Ptpn6) to explore cancer immunotherapy approaches. Laboratory assays, structural studies, and cell-based experiments will guide the selection of compounds for further development. Findings are intended to point toward targeted drugs or immunotherapies that could later move into clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers driven by abnormal protein tyrosine phosphorylation or tumors known to involve targets like PRL2 or SHP1 would be the most likely candidates for future therapies informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are unrelated to protein tyrosine phosphatase activity or who need immediate standard-of-care treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic research right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted cancer drugs or immunotherapies that better control tumor growth for patients whose cancers involve these enzymes.
How similar studies have performed: Kinase-targeted drugs have been highly successful, but direct targeting of phosphatases is relatively new and less proven, though early laboratory results (including on PRL2) show promising leads.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Zhong-Yin — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Zhong-Yin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.