Dual specificity phosphatase 23 (DUSP23), also known as VH1-like phosphatase Z (VHZ) or low molecular mass dual specificity phosphatase 3 (LDP-3), functions as a protein-serine/threonine phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.16) and a protein-tyrosine-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.48). It deactivates its MAPK substrates by dephosphorylating the threonine and tyrosine residues in the conserved Thr-Xaa-Tyr motif residing in their activation sites. DUSP23 is an atypical DUSP; it contains the catalytic dual specificity phosphatase domain but lacks the N-terminal Cdc25/rhodanese-like domain that is present in typical DUSPs or MKPs. It is able to enhance activation of JNK and p38 MAPK, and has been shown to dephosphorylate p44-ERK1 (MAPK3) in vitro. It has been associated with cell growth and human primary cancers. It has also been identified as a cell-cell adhesion regulatory protein; it promotes the dephosphorylation of beta-catenin at Tyr 142 and enhances the interaction between alpha- and beta-catenin.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",