The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the dual specificity protein tyrosine phosphatase family. It is highly similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc14, a protein tyrosine phosphatase involved in the exit of cell mitosis and initiation of DNA replication, suggesting a role in cell cycle control. This protein has been shown to interact with, and dephosphorylate tumor suppressor protein p53, and is thought to regulate the function of p53. Alternative splicing of this gene results in several transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].