| THE
ROLE OF A NOVEL VARIANT OF MKP-2 IN PROSTATE CANCER.
Professor Robin Plevin University of Strathclyde, Division of Physiology & Pharmacology |
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A key feature of prostate cancer is the hyper-activation of a number of enzymes called kinases which results in disordered growth of cells. Whilst much research is directed in this area in an effort to find new therapies, very little attention is paid to enzymes which switch these kinases off, called phosphatases.
We have discovered that one important phosphatase, MKP-2, can be made in two ways one of which, called new variant MKP-2, malfunctions. We will investigate how this malfunctioning new variant phosphatase results in more rapid prostate cell growth and whether this phosphatase is expressed in tissues from patients with prostate cancer. Taken together, this may provide a new marker for prostate cancer and a novel target to which therapies can be directed.
Research summary, 25 March 2008.
Project 2007/09