The protein encoded by DUSP6（dual specificity phosphatase 6） is a member of the dual specificity protein phosphatase subfamily. These phosphatases inactivate their target kinases by dephosphorylating both the phosphoserine/threonine and phosphotyrosine residues. They negatively regulate members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase superfamily (MAPK/ERK, SAPK/JNK, p38), which are associated with cellular proliferation and differentiation. Different members of the family of dual specificity phosphatases show distinct substrate specificities for various MAP kinases, different tissue distribution and subcellular localization, and different modes of inducibility of their expression by extracellular stimuli. DUSP6 product inactivates ERK2, is expressed in a variety of tissues with the highest levels in heart and pancreas, and unlike most other members of this family, is localized in the cytoplasm. Mutations in DUSP6 have been associated with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for DUSP6.蛋白别名为：DUSP6; MKP3; PYST1; Dual specificity protein phosphatase 6; Dual specificity protein phosphatase PYST1; Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 3; MAP kinase phosphatase 3; MKP-3;基因ID为：1848；蛋白质ID:Q16828
