Tristetraprolin (TTP), also known as Nup475 and TIS11, is a zinc-binding protein encoded by the immediate-early response gene, Zfp-36. Stimulation of quiescent fibroblasts by mitogens, including platelet derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor, results in the serine phosphorylation of TTP and the rapid redistribution of the protein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. in vitro studies have demonstrated that TTP is phosphorylated by p42 MAP kinase, indicating that the activity of TTP may be regulated by the MAP kinase pathway in vivo. Knockout mice deficient in TTP develop autoimmunity, inflammatory arthritis and dermatitis. These conditions can be reversed by blocking the activity of the inflammatory mediator, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), suggesting that TTP may function to negatively regulate the expression of TNF-α.