Phosphatase Subfamily PPP3C
PPP3C is the catalytic subunit of calcium-dependent phosphatase holoenzyme PP2B or calcineurin.. PPP3C is conserved from yeast to human, and it
Phosphatase Classification: Fold MTDP: Superfamily MTDP: Family PPP: Subfamily PPP3C
Contents
Evolution
PPP3C is found throughout eukaryotes, including opisthokonta, amoebazoa, plants and etc.
Domain
PPP3C has a single domain - phosphatase domain.
Functions
PPP3C, catalytic subunit of Protein Phosphatase 2B (PP2B) holoenzyme (aka calcineurin). The holoenzyme is heterodimer complex consisting of one catalytic subunit and one regulatory subunit
participates in very various cellular processes, from cell cycle progression to cardiac hypertrophy [1]. In particular, it activates the T cells of the immune system in mammals. When an antigen-preseting cell interacts with a T cell receptor on T cells, the cytoplasmic level of calcium increases, which activates calcineurin. Calcineurin activates a vertebrate-specific transcription factor called NFATc. It is used as a target for several immunosuppressive drugs. This phosphatase has clinical significance for schizophrenia and diabetes (see wikipedia). Calcineurin is also the drug target of tacrolimus which is an immunosuppressive drug used mainly after allogeneic organ transplant to reduce the activity of the patient's immune system and so lower the risk of organ rejection.
