Dual specificity phosphatases in prostate cancer

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways have critical roles in growth, differentiation, and cell death. Their activity is regulated by an intricate network of crosstalk with other signaling pathways, as well as more directly by two subgroups of the dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs), the MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) and atypical DUSPs. Several studies have shown that MAPKs are involved in the development and progression of different cancers; however, their definitive function in carcinogenesis has been difficult to determine to date. MAPK expression is altered in prostate cancer, the most common non-cutaneous cancer in men. There is now increasing evidence that DUSPs have important roles in regulating the MAPK pathways in prostate cancer and may therefore directly affect disease outcome. Changes in expression of DUSPs are correlated with survival and cell death in prostate cancer cells, but a general and consistent mechanism is at present lacking; nevertheless, some themes are emerging. Here we discuss the latest findings on the possible impact of DUSPs on prostate carcinogenesis. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.