SH2 domains, interaction modules and cellular wiring

SH2 domains serve as the prototype for a growing family of protein-interaction modules, characteristic of polypeptides involved in transmitting signals from external and internal cues. The specific interactions of proteins with one another, and with other cellular components such as phospholipids and nucleic acids, provide a very general device to organize cellular behavior. We discuss the idea that rewiring of the cell's interaction network by pathogenic microorganisms and mutant cellular proteins contributes to dysregulation of cell signaling and thus to disease.

Enteropathogenic E. coli Tir binds Nck to initiate actin pedestal formation in host cells

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a bacterial pathogen that causes infantile diarrhea worldwide. EPEC injects a bacterial protein, translocated intimin receptor (Tir), into the host-cell plasma membrane where it acts as a receptor for the bacterial outer membrane protein, intimin. The interaction of Tir and intimin triggers a marked rearrangement of the host actin cytoskeleton into pedestals beneath adherent bacteria. On delivery into host cells, EPEC Tir is phosphorylated on tyrosine 474 of the intracellular carboxy-terminal domain, an event that is required for pedestal formation. Despite its essential role, the function of Tir tyrosine phosphorylation has not yet been elucidated. Here we show that tyrosine 474 of Tir directly binds the host-cell adaptor protein Nck, and that Nck is required for the recruitment of both neural Wiskott-Aldrich-syndrome protein (N-WASP) and the actin-related protein (Arp)2/3 complex to the EPEC pedestal, directly linking Tir to the cytoskeleton. Cells with null alleles of both mammalian Nck genes are resistant to the effects of EPEC on the actin cytoskeleton. These results implicate Nck adaptors as host-cell determinants of EPEC virulence.

The shc adaptor protein forms interdependent phosphotyrosine-mediated protein complexes in mast cells stimulated with interleukin 3

The Shc adaptor protein possesses 2 distinct phosphotyrosine (pTyr) recognition modules-the pTyr binding (PTB) domain and the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-and multiple potential sites for tyrosine (Tyr) phosphorylation (Tyr residues 239, 240, and 317). On stimulation of hematopoietic cells with interleukin 3 (IL-3), Shc becomes phosphorylated and may therefore contribute to IL-3 signaling. We investigated the interactions mediated by the Shc modular domains and pTyr sites in IL-3-dependent IC2 premast cells. The Shc PTB domain, rather than the SH2 domain, associated both in vitro and in vivo with the Tyr-phosphorylated beta subunit of the IL-3 receptor and with the SH2-containing 5' inositol phosphatase (SHIP), and it recognized specific NXXpY phosphopeptides from these binding partners. In IL-3-stimulated mast cells, Shc phosphorylation occurred primarily on Tyr239 and 317 and was dependent on a functional PTB domain. Phosphorylated Tyr317, and to a lesser extent, Tyr239, bound the Grb2 adaptor and SHIP. Furthermore, a pTyr317 Shc phosphopeptide selectively recognized Grb2, Sos1, SHIP, and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase from mast cells, as characterized by mass spectrometry. These results indicate that Shc undergoes an interdependent series of pTyr-mediated interactions in IL-3-stimulated mast cells, resulting in the recruitment of proteins that regulate the Ras pathway and phospholipid metabolism.

Structural basis for specificity switching of the Src SH2 domain

The Src SH2 domain binds pYEEI-containing phosphopeptides in an extended conformation with a hydrophobic pocket, which includes ThrEF1, binding Ile(pY +3). Mutating ThrEF1 to tryptophan switches specificity to an Asn(pY +2) requirement, yielding a biological mimic of the Grb2 SH2 domain. Here we show that the Src ThrEF1Trp SH2 domain mutant binds pYVNV phosphopeptides in a beta turn conformation, which, despite differing conformations of the interacting tryptophan, closely resembles the native Grb2/pYVNV cognate peptide binding mode. The ThrEF1Trp substitution therefore switches specificity by physically occluding the pTyr +3 binding pocket and by providing additional interaction surface area for Asn(pY +2). This demonstrates structurally how novel SH2 domain specificities may rapidly evolve through single amino acid substitutions and suggests how new signaling pathways may develop.

The carboxyl terminus of B class ephrins constitutes a PDZ domain binding motif

Ephrin B proteins function as ligands for B class Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and are postulated to possess an intrinsic signaling function. The sequence at the carboxyl terminus of B-type ephrins contains a putative PDZ binding site, providing a possible mechanism through which transmembrane ephrins might interact with cytoplasmic proteins. To test this notion, a day 10.5 mouse embryonic expression library was screened with a biotinylated peptide corresponding to the carboxyl terminus of ephrin B3. Three of the positive cDNAs encoded polypeptides with multiple PDZ domains, representing fragments of the molecule GRIP, the protein syntenin, and PHIP, a novel PDZ domain-containing protein related to Caenorhabditis elegans PAR-3. In addition, the binding specificities of PDZ domains previously predicted by an oriented library approach (Songyang, Z., Fanning, A. S., Fu, C., Xu, J., Marfatia, S. M., Chishti, A. H., Crompton, A., Chan, A. C., Anderson, J. M., and Cantley, L. C. (1997) Science 275, 73-77) identified the tyrosine phosphatase FAP-1 as a potential binding partner for B ephrins. In vitro studies demonstrated that the fifth PDZ domain of FAP-1 and full-length syntenin bound ephrin B1 via the carboxyl-terminal motif. Lastly, syntenin and ephrin B1 could be co-immunoprecipitated from transfected COS-1 cells, suggesting that PDZ domain binding of B ephrins can occur in cells. These results indicate that the carboxyl-terminal motif of B ephrins provides a binding site for specific PDZ domain-containing proteins, which might localize the transmembrane ligands for interactions with Eph receptors or participate in signaling within ephrin B-expressing cells.

The B-cell transmembrane protein CD72 binds to and is an in vivo substrate of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1

BACKGROUND

Signals from the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) help to determine B-cell fate, directing either proliferation, differentiation, or growth arrest/apoptosis. The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 is known to regulate the strength of BCR signaling. Although the B-cell co-receptor CD22 binds SHP-1, B cells in CD22-deficient mice are much less severely affected than those in SHP-1-deficient mice, suggesting that SHP-1 may also regulate B-cell signaling by affecting other signaling molecules. Moreover, direct substrates of SHP-1 have not been identified in any B-cell signaling pathway.

RESULTS

We identified the B-cell transmembrane protein CD72 as a new SHP-1 binding protein and as an in vivo substrate of SHP-1 in B cells. We also defined the binding sites for SHP-1 and the adaptor protein Grb2 on CD72. Tyrosine phosphorylation of CD72 correlated strongly with BCR-induced growth arrest/apoptosis in B-cell lines and in primary B cells. Preligation of CD72 attenuated BCR-induced growth arrest/death signals in immature and mature B cells or B-cell lines, whereas preligation of CD22 enhanced BCR-induced growth arrest/apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified CD72 as the first clear in vivo substrate of SHP-1 in B cells. Our results suggest that tyrosine-phosphorylated CD72 may transmit signals for BCR-induced apoptosis. By dephosphorylation CD72. SHP-1 may have a positive role in B-cell signaling. These results have potentially important implications for the involvement of CD72 and SHP-1 in B-cell development and autoimmunity.

The discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinases are activated by collagen

Two mammalian receptor tyrosine kinases (DDR1 and DDR2) have extracellular domains closely related to a D. discoideum lectin, discoidin, required for cell aggregation. Here, we show that the mammalian DDR receptors bind and are activated by specific types of collagen. Stimulation of DDR receptor tyrosine kinase activity requires the native triple-helical structure of collagen and occurs over an extended period of time. Collagen activation of DDR1 induces phosphorylation of a docking site for the Shc phosphotyrosine binding domain, whose presence is controlled by alternative splicing. Activation of DDR2 by collagen results in the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression. These results suggest that the discoidin-related DDR tyrosine kinases are novel collagen receptors with the potential to control cellular responses to the extracellular matrix.

SH2/SH3 adaptor proteins can link tyrosine kinases to a Ste20-related protein kinase, HPK1

Ste20-related protein kinases have been implicated as regulating a range of cellular responses, including stress-activated protein kinase pathways and the control of cytoskeletal architecture. An important issue involves the identities of the upstream signals and regulators that might control the biological functions of mammalian Ste20-related protein kinases. HPK1 is a protein-serine/threonine kinase that possesses a Ste20-like kinase domain, and in transfected cells activates a protein kinase pathway leading to the stress-activated protein kinase SAPK/JNK. Here we have investigated candidate upstream regulators that might interact with HPK1. HPK1 possesses an N-terminal catalytic domain and an extended C-terminal tail with four proline-rich motifs. The SH3 domains of Grb2 bound in vitro to specific proline-rich motifs in the HPK1 tail and functioned synergistically to direct the stable binding of Grb2 to HPK1 in transfected Cos1 cells. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation did not affect the binding of Grb2 to HPK1 but induced recruitment of the Grb2.HPK1 complex to the autophosphorylated EGF receptor and to the Shc docking protein. Several activated receptor and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, including the EGF receptor, stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of the HPK1 serine/threonine kinase. These results suggest that HPK1, a mammalian Ste20-related protein-serine/threonine kinase, can potentially associate with protein-tyrosine kinases through interactions mediated by SH2/SH3 adaptors such as Grb2. Such interaction may provide a possible mechanism for cross-talk between distinct biochemical pathways following the activation of tyrosine kinases.

Juxtamembrane tyrosine residues couple the Eph family receptor EphB2/Nuk to specific SH2 domain proteins in neuronal cells

Eph-related receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the control of axonal navigation and fasciculation. To investigate the biochemical mechanisms underlying such functions, we have expressed the EphB2 receptor (formerly Nuk/Cek5/Sek3) in neuronal NG108-15 cells, and have observed the tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins upon activation of EphB2 by its ligand, ephrin-B1 (formerly Elk-L/Lerk2). The activated EphB2 receptor induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 62-64 kDa protein (p62[dok]), which in turn formed a complex with the Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) and SH2/SH3 domain adaptor protein Nck. RasGAP also bound through its SH2 domains to tyrosine-phosphorylated EphB2 in vitro, and complexed with activated EphB2 in vivo. We have localized an in vitro RasGAP-binding site to conserved tyrosine residues Y604 and Y610 in the juxtamembrane region of EphB2, and demonstrated that substitution of these amino acids abolishes ephrin-B1-induced signalling events in EphB2-expressing NG108-15 cells. These tyrosine residues are followed by proline at the + 3 position, consistent with the binding specificity of RasGAP SH2 domains determined using a degenerate phosphopeptide library. These results identify an EphB2-activated signalling cascade involving proteins that potentially play a role in axonal guidance and control of cytoskeletal architecture.

RET alternate splicing influences the interaction of activated RET with the SH2 and PTB domains of Shc, and the SH2 domain of Grb2

Activating germline mutations of the RET receptor tyrosine kinase are found in the majority of cases of inherited cancer syndrome MEN 2, and inactivating mutations in some cases of dominantly inherited Hirschsprung disease. Using RET activated by a MEN 2 mutation, we show that both the SH2 and PTB domains of the adaptor protein Shc interact with RET, and we identify the PTB domain interaction site. Interaction with both the SH2 and PTB domains of Shc contributes to the transcriptional activation of a serum response element. RET alternate splicing affects the strength of interaction with both the Shc SH2 and PTB domains. In addition, a splice isoform-specific HSCR missense mutation, which does not inactivate the RET kinase activity, decreases the strength of the PTB domain interaction and the level of RET-dependent Shc phosphorylation.

Characterization of the phosphotyrosine-binding domain of the Drosophila Shc protein

The phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain of Drosophila Shc (dShc) binds in vitro to phosphopeptides containing the sequence motif NPXpY, and physically associates with the activated Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor homologue (DER) in vivo. The structural elements, specificity and binding kinetics of the dShc PTB domain have now been characterized. The dShc PTB domain appeared similar to the insulin-like receptor substrate-1 PTB domain in secondary structure as suggested by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface plasmon resonance measurements indicated that the dShc PTB domain bound with high affinity to phosphopeptides (Der) derived from the Tyr1228 site of the DER receptor. The kinetics of the dShc PTB domain-Der phosphopeptide interaction differed from those of a typical SH2 domain-ligand interaction, in that the PTB domain displayed slower on/off rates. Competition binding assays using truncated versions of the Der peptides revealed that high affinity binding to the dShc PTB domain requires, in addition to the NPXpY motif, the presence of hydrophobic residues at both positions -5 and -7 relative to phosphotyrosine. The dShc PTB domain showed a similar binding specificity to the human Shc (hShc) PTB domain, but subtle differences were noted; such that the hShc PTB domain bound preferentially to a phosphopeptide from the mammalian nerve growth factor receptor, whereas the dShc PTB domain bound preferentially to phosphopeptides from the Drosophila DER receptor. The invertebrate dShc PTB domain therefore possesses a binding specificity for tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides that is optimally suited for recognition of the activated DER receptor.

The Grb2-mSos1 complex binds phosphopeptides with higher affinity than Grb2

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation leads to autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc. The Grb2 SH2 domain binds to Tyr1068 of EGFR and Tyr317 of Shc while its SH3 domains bind to mSos1. Therefore, EGF treatment potentially results in the formation of several multimeric signaling complexes, including EGFR-Grb2-mSos1, EGFR-Shc-Grb2-mSos1, and Shc-Grb2-mSos1, linking the receptor to activation of the Ras GTPase. We have purified Grb2, mSos1, and the Grb2-mSos1 complex to high homogeneity, and used these isolated proteins to obtain binding affinities of mSos1 for Grb2 and of either Grb2 or Grb2-mSos1 for phosphotyrosine-containing peptides. mSos1 bound Grb2 with a KD of 0.4 microM; the stoichiometry of the Grb2-mSos1 complex was 1:1. An EGFR-derived phosphopeptide bound Grb2 with a KD of 0.7 microM, whereas the Shc-derived phosphopeptide bound Grb2 with a KD of 0.2 microM. Since Grb2 exists in a stable complex with mSos1, and both proteins can exist in a constitutive complex in unstimulated cells, we performed phosphopeptide binding studies on the Grb2-mSos1 complex to gain a better understanding of binding events in the intact cell. Grb2-mSos1 bound to both EGFR- and Shc-derived phosphopeptides with higher affinities (KD of 0.3 microM and 31 nM, respectively) than Grb2 alone. These findings suggest that the proximity of mSos1 to Grb2 in the complex can influence the interactions of the Grb2 SH2 domain with phosphopeptides and raise the possibility that in the Grb2-mSos1 complex the SH2 and SH3 domains of Grb2 are not independent of each other but may be indirectly linked by mSos1.

The Shc adaptor protein is highly phosphorylated at conserved, twin tyrosine residues (Y239/240) that mediate protein-protein interactions

BACKGROUND

Signal transduction initiated by a wide variety of extracellular signals involves the activation of protein-tyrosine kinases. Phosphorylated tyrosine residues in activated receptors or docking proteins then function as binding sites for the Src homology 2 (SH2) or phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domains of cytoplasmic signalling proteins. Shc is an adaptor protein that contains both PTB and SH2 domains and becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to many different extracellular stimuli. These results have suggested that Shc is a prominent effector of protein-tyrosine kinase signalling. Thus far, only a single Shc phosphorylation site, the tyrosine at position 317 (Y317) has been identified. Phosphorylation of Y317 has been implicated in Grb2 binding and activation of the Ras pathway.

RESULTS

Here, we report the identification of two major and novel Shc tyrosine phosphorylation sites, Y239 and Y240. These residues are present in the central proline-rich (CH1) region and are conserved in all isoforms of Shc. Y239/240 are co-ordinately phosphorylated by the Src protein-tyrosine kinase in vitro, and in response to epidermal growth factor stimulation or in v-src-transformed cells in vivo. Mutagenesis studies indicate that Y239/240 make an important contribution to the association of Shc with Grb2. Phosphopeptide-binding studies suggest that these two tyrosine residues may be involved in interactions with a number of cellular proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Shc is the most prominent general substrate for protein-tyrosine kinases in vivo. The identification of two novel Shc phosphorylation sites indicates that Shc has the potential to interact with multiple downstream effectors. Shc Y239/240 are highly conserved in evolution, suggesting that the phosphorylation of these residues is of fundamental importance. We propose that distinct Shc phosphorylation isomers from different signalling complexes and thereby activate separate downstream signalling cascades.

SRPK1 and Clk/Sty protein kinases show distinct substrate specificities for serine/arginine-rich splicing factors

Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are essential for pre-mRNA splicing, and modify the choice of splice site during alternative splicing in a process apparently regulated by protein phosphorylation. Two protein kinases have been cloned that can phosphorylate SR proteins in vitro: SRPK1 and Clk/Sty. Here, we show that these two kinases phosphorylate the same SR proteins in vitro, but that SRPK1 has the higher specific activity toward ASF/SF2. SRPK1, like Clk/Sty, phosphorylates ASF/SF2 in vitro on sites that are also phosphorylated in vivo. Tryptic peptide mapping of ASF/SF2 revealed that three of the phosphopeptides from full-length ASF/SF2 phosphorylated in vitro contain consecutive phosphoserine-arginine residues or phosphoserine-proline residues. In vitro, the Clk/Sty kinase phosphorylated Ser-Arg, Ser-Lys, or Ser-Pro sites, whereas SRPK1 had a strong preference for Ser-Arg sites. These results suggest that SRPK1 and Clk/Sty may play different roles in regulating SR splicing factors, and suggest that Clk/Sty has a broader substrate specificity than SRPK1.

Requirement of phospholipase C gamma, the tyrosine phosphatase Syp and the adaptor proteins Shc and Nck for PDGF-induced DNA synthesis: evidence for the existence of Ras-dependent and Ras-independent pathways

We have investigated the roles of the phosphotyrosine phosphatase Syp (also called SH-PTP2), phospholipase C (PLC) gamma1, rasGTPase Activating Protein (rasGAP) and the adapter molecules Nck and Shc in the mitogenic response induced by PDGF in fibroblasts. Two separate approaches were used to inhibit the biological activity of these signalling proteins in vivo. Either glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins containing the SH2 domains of these proteins, or antibodies specific for these polypeptides, were microinjected into cells. GST-SH2 fusion proteins are expected to act as dominant inhibitors by competing for physiological SH2-mediated interactions, while microinjected antibodies can directly block protein functions. Inhibition of PLCgamma, Syp, Shc and Nck signals blocked PDGF-stimulated cells in G1 showing a requirement for these proteins for S-phase entry. Inhibition of rasGAP, in contrast, had no effect on S-phase entry. We next examined which of these signals were required for PDGF-induced cFos expression, a Ras-dependent event important for signalling. By using the same approaches with cells expressing beta-galactosidase under the control of a c-fos promoter, we showed that PLCgamma, Syp and Shc were necessary for ligand-induced cFos expression whereas Nck and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase alpha were not. From these results we concluded that PDGF generates Ras-dependent and Ras-independent pathways important for DNA synthesis.

A potential SH3 domain-binding site in the Crk SH2 domain

The Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of the mammalian adaptor protein Crk-II contains a proline-rich insert, predicted to lie within an extended DE loop, which is dispensable for phosphopeptide binding. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, this region of the Crk-II SH2 domain was found to interact with a subset of SH3 domains, notably the Abl SH3 domain. Furthermore, this proline-rich insert was found to modify the efficiency with which Crk-II was phosphorylated by the p140(c-abl) tyrosine kinase. In vitro, the interaction of full-length non-phosphorylated Crk-II with a glutathione S-transferase-Abl SH3 domain fusion protein was very weak. However, phosphorylation of Crk-II on Tyr-221 which induces an intramolecular association with the SH2 domain, or addition of a phosphopeptide corresponding to the Crk-II Tyr-221 phosphorylation site, stimulated association of Crk-II with the Abl SH3 domain. NMR spectroscopic analysis showed that binding of the Tyr-221 phosphopeptide to the Crk SH2 domain induced a chemical shift change in Val-71, located in the proline-rich insert, indicative of a change in the structure of the proline-rich loop in response of Crk SH2-pTyr-221 interaction. These results suggest that the proline-rich insert in the Crk SH2 domain constitutes an SH3 domain-binding site that can be regulated by binding of a phosphopeptide ligand to the Crk SH2 domain.

Identification of residues that control specific binding of the Shc phosphotyrosine-binding domain to phosphotyrosine sites

The Shc adaptor protein contains two phosphotyrosine [Tyr(P)]binding modules--an N-terminal Tyr(P) binding (PTB) domain and a C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain. We have compared the ability of the Shc PTB domain to bind the receptors for nerve growth factor and insulin, both of which contain juxtamembrane Asn-Pro-Xaa-Tyr(P) motifs implicated in PTB binding. The Shc PTB domain binds with high affinity to a phosphopeptide corresponding to the nerve growth factor receptor Tyr-490 autophosphorylation site. Analysis of individual residues within this motif indicates that the Asn at position -3 [with respect to Tyr(P)], in addition to Tyr(P), is critical for PTB binding, while the Pro at position -2 plays a less significant role. A hydrophobic amino acid 5 residues N-terminal to the Tyr(P) is also essential for high-affinity binding. In contrast, the Shc PTB domain does not bind stably to the Asn-Pro-Xaa-Tyr(P) site at Tyr-960 in the activated insulin receptor, which has a polar residue (Ser) at position -5. Substitution of this Ser at position -5 with Ile markedly increased binding of the insulin receptor Tyr-960 phosphopeptide to the PTB domain. These results suggest that while the Shc PTB domain recognizes a core sequence of Asn-Pro-Xaa-Tyr(P), its binding affinity is modulated by more N-terminal residues in the ligand, which therefore contribute to the specificity of PTB-receptor interactions. An analysis of residues in the Shc PTB domain required for binding to Tyr(P) sites identified a specific and evolutionarily conserved Arg (Arg-175) that is uniquely important for ligand binding and is potentially involved in Tyr(P) recognition.

A Drosophila shc gene product is implicated in signaling by the DER receptor tyrosine kinase

Antibodies to the human Shc adaptor protein were used to isolate a cDNA encoding a Drosophila Shc protein (dShc) by screening an expression library. The dshc gene, which maps to position 67B-C on the third chromosome, encodes a 45-kDa protein that is widely expressed throughout the Drosophila life cycle. In flies, the dShc protein physically associates with the activated Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor homolog (DER) and is inducibly phosphorylated on tyrosine by DER. The 45-kDa dShc protein is closely related both in overall organization and in amino acid sequence (46% identity) to the 52-kDa mammalian Shc isoform. In addition to a C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, dShc contains an N-terminal phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain, which associates in vitro with the autophosphorylated DER receptor tyrosine kinase and with phosphopeptides containing an Asn-Pro-X-pTyr motif, where pTyr stands for phosphotyrosine. A potential binding site for the dShc PTB domain is located at Tyr-1228 of DER. These results indicate that the shc gene has been conserved in evolution, as have the binding properties of the Shc PTB and SH2 domains. Despite the close relationship between the Drosophila and mammalian Shc proteins, dShc lacks the high-affinity Grb2-binding site found in mammalian Shc, suggesting that Shc proteins may have functions in addition to regulation of the Ras pathway.

Biochemical and genetic analysis of the Drk SH2/SH3 adaptor protein of Drosophila

The Drk SH3-SH2-SH3 adaptor protein has been genetically identified in a screen for rate-limiting components acting downstream of the Sevenless (Sev) receptor tyrosine kinase in the developing eye of Drosophila. It provides a link between the activated Sev receptor and Sos, a guanine nucleotide release factor that activates Ras1. We have used a combined biochemical and genetic approach to study the interactions between Sev, Drk and Sos. We show that Tyr2546 in the cytoplasmic tail of Sev is required for Drk binding, probably because it provides a recognition site for the Drk SH2 domain. Interestingly, a mutation at this site does not completely block Sev function in vivo. This may suggest that Sev can signal in a Drk-independent, parallel pathway or that Drk can also bind to an intermediate docking protein. Analysis of the Drk-Sos interaction has identified a high affinity binding site for Drk SH3 domains in the Sos tail. We show that the N-terminal Drk SH3 domain is primarily responsible for binding to the tail of Sos in vitro, and for signalling to Ras in vivo.

A conserved amino-terminal Shc domain binds to phosphotyrosine motifs in activated receptors and phosphopeptides

BACKGROUND

Signal transduction by growth factor receptor protein-tyrosine kinases is generally initiated by autophosphorylation on tyrosine residues following ligand binding. Phosphotyrosines within activated receptors form binding sites for the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of cytoplasmic signalling proteins. One such protein, Shc, is tyrosine phosphorylated in response to a large number of growth factors and cytokines. Phosphorylation of Shc on tyrosine residue Y317 allows binding to the SH2 domain of Grb2, and hence stimulation of the Ras pathway. Shc is therefore implicated as an adaptor protein able to couple normal and oncogenic protein-tyrosine kinases to Ras activation. Shc itself contains an SH2 domain at its carboxyl terminus, but the function of the amino-terminal half of the protein is unknown.

RESULTS

We have found that the Shc amino-terminal region binds to a number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in v-src-transformed cells. This domain also bound directly to the activated epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. A phosphotyrosine (pY)-containing peptide modeled after the Shc-binding site in polyoma middle T antigen (LLSNPTpYSVMRSK) was able to compete efficiently with the activated EGF receptor for binding to the Shc amino terminus. This competition was dependent on phosphorylation of the tyrosine residue within the peptide, and was abrogated by deletion of the leucine residue at position -5. The Shc amino-terminal domain also bound to the autophosphorylated nerve growth factor receptor (Trk), but bound significantly less well to a mutant receptor in which tyrosine Y490 in the receptor's Shc-binding site had been substituted by phenylalanine.

CONCLUSION

These data implicate the amino-terminal region of Shc in binding to activated receptors and other tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. Binding appears to be specific for phosphorylated tyrosine residues within the sequence NPXpY, which is conserved in many Shc-binding sites. The Shc amino-terminal region bears only very limited sequence identify to known SH2 domains, suggesting that it represents a new class of phosphotyrosine-binding modules. Consistent with this view, the amino-terminal Shc domain is highly conserved in a Drosophila Shc homologue. Binding of Shc to activated receptors through its amino terminus could leave the carboxy-terminal SH2 domain free for other interactions. In this way, Shc may function as an adaptor protein to bring two tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins together.

Direct demonstration of an intramolecular SH2-phosphotyrosine interaction in the Crk protein

Many signal transduction processes are mediated by the binding of Scr-homology-2 (SH2) domains to phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-containing proteins. Although most SH2-pTyr interactions occur between two different types of molecules, some appear to involve only a single molecular type. It has been proposed that the enzymatic activity and substrate recognition of the Src-family kinases, and the protein-binding and transforming activity of Crk-family adaptor proteins, are regulated by intramolecular SH2-pTyr interactions. In addition, the DNA-binding activity of Stat transcription factors seems to be regulated by SH2-mediated homodimerization. Here we examine the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms of murine Crk II (p-mCrk and mCrk, respectively) using a combination of physical techniques. The Crk protein contains a single SH2 domain and two SH3 domains in the order SH2-SH3-SH3. There is a tyrosine-phosphorylation site between the two SH3 domains at residue 221 which is phosphorylated in vivo by the Abl tyrosine kinase. Using NMR spectroscopic analysis, we show here that the SH2 domain of purified p-mCrk is bound to pTyr, and by hydrodynamic measurements that the phosphorylated protein is monomeric. These results provide direct demonstration of an intramolecular SH2-pTyr interaction in a signalling molecule.

SH2 domain specificity and activity modified by a single residue

Many intracellular targets of protein-tyrosine kinases possess Src homology 2 (SH2) domains that directly recognize phosphotyrosine-containing sites on autophosphorylated growth factor receptors and cytoplasmic proteins, and thereby mediate the activation of biochemical signalling pathways. SH2 domains possess relatively well conserved residues that form the phosphotyrosine-binding pocket, and more variable residues that are implicated in determining binding specificity by recognition of the three amino acids carboxy-terminal to phosphotyrosine (the +1 to +3 positions). One such residue, occupying the EF1 position of the +3-binding pocket, is a Thr in the SH2 domain of the Src tyrosine kinase, but is predicted to be a Trp in the SH2 domain of the Sem-5/drk/Grb2 adaptor protein. Here we report that changing this residue in the Src SH2 domain from Thr to Trp switches its selectivity to resemble that of the Sem-5/drk/Grb2 SH2 domain. Furthermore, this mutant Src SH2 domain effectively substitutes for the SH2 domain of the Sem-5 protein in activation of the Ras pathway in vivo. These results identify a residue that can modify SH2 selectivity, and indicate that the biological activity of an SH2 domain correlates with its binding specificity.

Interactions of the SH2 domain of lymphocyte-specific tyrosine protein kinase p56lck with phosphotyrosine-containing proteins

We have previously demonstrated that the non-catalytic Src homology 2 (SH2) domain is required for both positive and negative regulation of the catalytic function of the lymphocyte-specific tyrosine protein kinase p56lck. Indeed, the ability of activated p56lck molecules (tyrosine 505 to phenylalanine 505 mutants) to enhance T-cell receptor (TCR)-induced tyrosine protein phosphorylation is dramatically reduced by deletion of the SH2 domain. Paradoxically, removal of the SH2 sequence also results in constitutive elevation of the catalytic function of wild-type Lck polypeptides, rendering them capable of oncogenic transformation of rodent fibroblasts. As SH2 sequences can mediate binding to phosphotyrosine-containing peptides, the ability of the Lck SH2 domain to interact with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins was tested. We found that the SH2 sequence of p56lck can bind several of the TCR-regulated tyrosine phosphorylation substrates in vitro. One of the substrates, an 80-kilodalton (kDa) phosphoprotein (p80) showed the tightest binding to the SH2 domain of Lck. Additionally, it was observed that the SH2 domain of Lck can bind a synthetic peptide containing the phosphorylated carboxy-terminal tyrosine 505 of p56lck. Indirect evidence indicating that the SH2 region interacts with the tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxy terminus of Lck in vivo was also obtained. As deletion of the SH2 domain or mutation of tyrosine 505 results in p56lck activation in vivo, it is conceivable that interactions between these two regions impose a conformation that is unfavorable to phosphorylation of intracellular substrates. Collectively, these findings suggest that the SH2 domain modulates the catalytic function of Lck through complex interactions with phosphotyrosine-containing proteins.

Kinetics of p56lck and p60src Src homology 2 domain binding to tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides determined by a competition assay or surface plasmon resonance

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains are phosphotyrosine-binding modules found within various signal-transducing proteins. We have determined by 125I competition assay and surface plasmon resonance that the SH2 domains of Src and Lck bind to a variety of phosphopeptides with similar affinity and specificity. Both bound with highest affinity [Kd(app) approximately 3.7 nM; ka = 2.4 x 10(5) M-1 x s-1; kd = 1.2 x 10(-3) s-1] a phosphopeptide having a Tyr(P)-Glu-Glu-Ile motif found in the hamster polyomavirus middle-sized tumor antigen. Intermediate affinity (5- to 40-fold lower) was observed with phosphopeptides corresponding to the regulatory domains of Src and Lck, containing Tyr527 and Tyr505, respectively. Lowest affinity (80- to 300-fold lower) was observed with phosphopeptides corresponding to phosphorylated tyrosines of GTPase-activating protein, insulin receptor substrate 1, and SH2 domain-containing protein-tyrosine-phosphatase 1.