A major challenge in the post-genomic era is to identify the physiological function of genes and elucidate the molecular basis for human disease. Genetic polymorphisms offer a convenient aveune for these efforts by providing evidence for the involvement of a given gene in human pathophysiology. Here we review the current evidence linking the low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMPTP) to several common diseases, including allergy, asthma, obesity, myocardial hypertrophy, and Alzheimer's disease. Based on the know effects of the genetic polymorphisms on the alternative mRNA splicing and enzyme levels of LMPTP, we discuss the possible molecular mechanisms of LMPTP involvement in these diseases.
N. Bottini, Program of Signal Transduction, La Jolla Cancer Research Center, The Burnham Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA,