Emerging roles of PHLPP phosphatases in metabolism

BMB Rep. 2021 Sep;54(9):451-457. doi: 10.5483/BMBRep.2021.54.9.095.

Abstract

Over the last decades, research has focused on the role of pleckstrin homology (PH) domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatases (PHLPPs) in regulating cellular signaling via PI3K/Akt inhibition. The PKB/Akt signaling imbalances are associated with a variety of illnesses, including various types of cancer, inflammatory response, insulin resistance, and diabetes, demonstrating the relevance of PHLPPs in the prevention of diseases. Furthermore, identification of novel substrates of PHLPPs unveils their role as a critical mediator in various cellular processes. Recently, researchers have explored the increasing complexity of signaling networks involving PHLPPs whereby relevant information of PHLPPs in metabolic diseases was obtained. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of PHLPPs on the well-known substrates and metabolic regulation, especially in liver, pancreatic beta cell, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in relation with the stated diseases. Understanding the context-dependent functions of PHLPPs can lead to a promising treatment strategy for several kinds of metabolic diseases. [BMB Reports 2021; 54(9): 451-457].

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Metabolic Diseases / metabolism
  • Metabolic Diseases / pathology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / chemistry
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases