Phosphatase Subfamily PPP3C

PPP3C is the catalytic subunit of calcium-dependent phosphatase holoenzyme PP2B or calcineurin. The holoenzyme is heterodimer complex consisting of one catalytic subunit and one regulatory subunit. PPP3C is conserved from yeast to human, and it participates in very various cellular processes, from cell cycle progression to cardiac hypertrophy (see review PMID: 11015619). 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.