Role of Tula-Family Proteins in Cell Signaling and Activation: Advances and Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

UBASH3/STS/TULA is a novel protein family consisting of two members, both possessing a unique set of protein domains, including a histidine phosphatase domain. The members of this family, especially UBASH3B/STS-1/TULA-2, exhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase activity, thus dephosphorylating several proteins that are critical for receptor-mediated signaling in various cell types, such as protein tyrosine kinases of the Syk/ZAP-70 family. This protein phosphatase activity and some phosphatase-independent molecular functions underlie the key regulatory role of UBASH3/STS/TULA proteins in multiple biological systems, such as immune responses, including both normal host defense and autoimmunity, platelet-mediated hemostatic and thrombotic responses, cancer, cell differentiation, bone formation, and others.

This Special Issue is designed to collect, under a single roof, publications dedicated to the analysis of the existing data on the structure, functions, and biological role of UBASH3/STS/TULA proteins and to the novel research achievements in this field. Manuscripts focused on the molecular basis of UBASH3/STS/TULA proteins’ effects, including targets of regulatory dephosphorylation in their already known and novel substrates, phosphatase-independent mechanisms, and the individual specificity of the two family members are encouraged. Furthermore, manuscripts advancing our understanding of the entire spectrum of biological functions of this family, ranging apparently from immunity and hemostasis to bone formation and brain activity, and the relative contributions of its members to these functions are sought.

All types of publications addressing these key challenges—research articles, reviews, and short communications—are invited.

Dr. Alexander Y. Tsygankov
Guest Editor

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