Abstract
Eyes absent (Eya) proteins play critical roles in the growth and morphogenesis of multiple tissues in invertebrates and vertebrates. Eya is shown to possess protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity and establishes a novel eukaryotic family of non-thiol based PTPs. This chapter outlines the characteristic features of haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) enzymes and briefly discusses other members of the eukaryotic HAD family. It then summarizes the current understanding of Eya function in development and disease. Another important issue discussed relating to the discovery of Eya as an HAD phosphatase is whether this second activity is related to or independent from its transcriptional function. Recent evidence showing that mutation of critical Eya catalytic residues does not globally impact transactivation supports the proposal that Eya could have critical phosphatase targets outside the nucleus. Finally, the chapter discusses possible models of the relationship between the transcriptional and phosphatase activities of Eya and the potential contribution of each function to normal development. The identification of Eya substrates has great potential to lend insight into both the evolutionary diversification of Eya function and the biochemical properties of this novel family of PTPs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
