A rat cDNA encoding a non-receptor type phosphotyrosine phosphatase (P
TPase; EC 3.1.3.48) was identified. The 1608 bp cDNA contains a single
open reading frame that predicts a 382 amino acid protein with M(r) 4
4,438. The predicted protein has no apparent signal or transmembrane s
equences, suggesting that it is a cytosolic protein. The C-terminal re
gion has a PTPase catalytic domain that has 40-50% nucleic acid homolo
gy to other known PTPases. The N-terminal region has little amino acid
sequence homology to any other known sequences. The recombinant prote
in of the cloned cDNA expressed in Escherichia coli was shown to posse
ss PTPase activity using myelin basic protein, tyrosine phosphorylated
by p43(upsilon-abl) tyrosine kinase, as a substrate.