Protein Phosphatase (PP) Assay Service
Background
Protein phosphatases (PPs) act as key regulators in the dynamic balance of protein phosphorylation, reversing the actions of kinases and fine-tuning intracellular signaling. In immune regulation and cancer, phosphatases such as PP1, PP2A, and SHP2 (PTPN11) are known to influence T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, immune checkpoint signaling (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1), and cytokine responsiveness.
Aberrant phosphatase activity contributes to tumor immune evasion by dampening effector T cell function or promoting immune suppressive environments. Inhibiting or modulating PP activity has emerged as a novel strategy to restore anti-tumor immune responses. To support these investigations, Creative Biolabs offers comprehensive PP assay services focused on phosphatase kinetics, activity screening, and immune response correlation.
Featured Services at Creative Biolabs
We provide a versatile set of services targeting serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphatases, enabling detailed functional and mechanistic evaluations:
Colorimetric Phosphatase Assays
Measure dephosphorylation of pNPP or phosphopeptides via absorbance at 405 nm; useful for endpoint or kinetic analysis.
Fluorescence-Based Phosphatase Assays
Utilize fluorogenic phospho-substrates for continuous-read formats; ideal for high-throughput platforms.
Phospho-Protein Detection in Cells
Evaluate endogenous or recombinant phosphatase modulation through western blot or flow cytometry-based phospho-specific antibodies.
Cellular Assays for Immune Function Restoration
T cell activation, cytokine profiling, or cytotoxicity assays in co-culture systems following phosphatase inhibitor treatment.
Phosphatase Inhibitor Screening
HTS-compatible enzyme-based assays with IC₅₀ determination and functional follow-up.
Substrate Specificity Mapping
Identify preferred phospho-substrates of PP isoforms via peptide libraries or proteomics analysis.
Our assays cover major phosphatase families including PP1, PP2A, PTPN11 (SHP2), DUSP family, and calcineurin, all of which are functionally relevant in immune escape and tumor progression.
Workflow
Highlights
- Focus on Immune-Relevant Isoforms – Includes SHP2, PP2A, and calcineurin, known to influence immune checkpoint signaling
- Broad Assay Flexibility – Colorimetric, fluorescent, and cell-based formats tailored for mechanistic or screening goals
- Custom Immune Co-culture Compatibility – Apply phosphatase modulators to T cell or tumor-immune models for direct readouts
- Downstream Functional Evaluation – Supports detection of cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ), activation markers (CD69/CD25), and cytolysis
- Support for Lead Discovery – Full inhibitor screening pipeline with IC₅₀ calculation and selectivity analysis
FAQs
Q1: Which phosphatases are most associated with immune suppression in cancer?
A1: SHP2 (PTPN11) and PP2A are heavily implicated in inhibiting T cell signaling and promoting immune escape in solid tumors.
Q2: Can I measure phosphatase activity in intact immune cells?
A2: Yes. We support both lysate-based and intact cell assays, including phospho-flow cytometry and immune activation readouts.
Q3: Do you offer functional assays after phosphatase modulation?
A3: Certainly. We can measure T cell proliferation, IFN-γ release, PD-1 expression, or cytotoxicity post-treatment.
Q4: Are these assays compatible with primary human cells?
A4: Yes, our platform supports experiments in primary PBMCs, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and tumor co-cultures.
Q5: How do you ensure substrate specificity?
A5: We offer phospho-peptide substrate libraries and recombinant protein assays to validate isoform-specific activity.
Explore Phosphatase Signaling in Tumor–Immune Interactions
At Creative Biolabs, we specialize in bridging enzymatic assay precision with immunological relevance. Our PP assay service empowers oncology researchers to uncover how phosphatase modulation reshapes immune signaling and enhances therapeutic strategies.
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