The gene covers 220.87 kb (from 87734485 to 87955350-NCBI) and contains 48 exons and 51 different introns (49 gt-ag, 2 gc-ag), initiates transcription within exon 2 and terminates in exon 48.

Transcription produces 13 different mRNAs, 9 alternatively spliced variants and 4 unspliced forms. RefSeq annotates 4 representative transcripts, but Homo sapiens cDNA sequences in GenBank support at least 9 spliced variants.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family. PTPs are known to be signaling molecules that regulate a variety of cellular processes including cell growth, differentiation, mitotic cycle, and oncogenic transformation. This PTP is a large protein that possesses a PTP domain at C-terminus, and multiple noncatalytic domains, which include a domain with similarity to band 4.1 superfamily of cytoskeletal-associated proteins, a region consisting of five PDZ domains, and a leucine zipper motif. This PTP was found to interact with, and dephosphorylate Fas receptor, as well as IkappaBalpha through the PDZ domains, which suggested its role in Fas mediated programmed cell death. This PTP was also shown to interact with GTPase-activating protein, and thus may function as a regulator of Rho signaling pathway. Eight spliced and the unspliced mRNAs putatively encode good proteins.

In all human normal tissues, including lymph node and peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples, PTPN13 is ubiquitously expressed.

The FERM domain binds to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate leading to the enrichment of PTPN13 at a juxtamembrane localization. However, the PTPN13 protein is also detected throughout the cytoplasm. In HeLa cells, PTPN13 localizes to the centrosomes during metaphase.

Functionally, the gene has been tested for association to diseases (Bone Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms; lymphoma; Sarcoma, Ewings ), proposed to participate in a pathway (FAS signaling pathway ( CD95 )) and a process (protein amino acid dephosphorylation). Proteins are expected to have molecular functions (non-membrane spanning protein tyrosine phosphatase activity, hydrolase activity, protein binding, structural molecule activity) and to localize in various compartments (nucleus, cytoplasm, cytoskeleton).

Different somatic mutations was identified in colorectal tumors (19% of the colorectal cancer samples analyzed), predicted to result in missense or non-sense mutations. Some of these mutant proteins led to reduce phosphatase activity.