PP2A also dephosphorylates the serine/threonine protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt) which plays an essential role in several cellular processes such as survival, growth, proliferation26,27, self-renewal of stem cells28 and has also been associated with cancer and neurodegenerative diseases when mutated29–31. The gene discussed is PTPA; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.