Role of DUSP1/MKP1 in tumorigenesis, tumor progression and therapy

Dual‐specificity phosphatase‐1 ( DUSP 1/ MKP 1), as a member of the threonine‐tyrosine dual‐specificity phosphatase family, was first found in cultured murine cells. The molecular mechanisms of DUSP 1‐mediated extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases ( ERK s) dephosphorylation have been subsequently identified by studies using gene knockout mice and gene silencing technology. As a protein phosphatase, DUSP 1 also downregulates p38 MAPK s and JNK s signaling through directly dephosphorylating threonine and tyrosine. It has been detected that DUSP 1 is involved in various functions, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in normal cells. In various human cancers, abnormal expression of DUSP 1 was observed which was associated with prognosis of tumor patients. Further studies have revealed its role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Besides, DUSP 1 has been found to play a role in tumor chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and biotherapy. In this review, we will focus on the function and mechanism of DUSP 1 in tumor cells and tumor treatment.