The protein encoded by this gene contains a characteristic catalytic motif of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) family. The PTP motif of this protein has the highly conserved arginine residue replaced by a proline residue; thus it may represent a distinct class of PTPs. Members of the PTP family are known to be signaling molecules that regulate a variety of cellular processes. This gene was preferentially expressed in both adult and fetal heart. A much lower expression level was detected in skeletal and smooth muscle tissues, and no expression was observed in other tissues. The tissue specific expression in the developing and adult heart suggests a role in regulating cardiac development and differentiation. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].