Structure-guided studies of the SHP-1/JAK1 interaction provide new insights into phosphatase catalytic domain substrate recognition

SHP-1 (PTPN6) is a member of the SHP sub-family of protein tyrosine phosphatases and plays a critical role in the regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Previous studies suggested that SHP-1 contains a PTP1B-like second phosphotyrosine pocket that allows for binding of tandem phosphotyrosine residues, such as those found in the activation loop of JAK kinases. To discover the structural nature of the interaction between SHP-1 and the JAK family member, JAK1, we determined the 1.8 Å co-crystal structure of the SHP-1 catalytic domain and a JAK1-derived substrate peptide. This structure reveals electron density for only one bound phosphotyrosine residue. To investigate the role of the predicted second site pocket we determined the structures of SHP-1 in complex with phosphate and sulfate to 1.37 Å and 1.7 Å, respectively, and performed anomalous scattering experiments for a selenate-soaked crystal. These crystallographic data suggest that SHP-1 does not contain a PTP1B-like second site pocket. This conclusion is further supported by analysis of the relative dephosphorylation and binding affinities of mono- and tandem-phosphorylated peptide substrates. The crystal structures instead indicate that SHP-1 contains an extended C-terminal helix α2’ incompatible with the predicted second phosphotyrosine binding site. This study suggests that SHP-1 defines a new category of PTP1B-like protein tyrosine phosphatases with a hindered second phosphotyrosine pocket.     

CD5 negatively regulates the T-cell antigen receptor signal transduction pathway: involvement of SH2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-1

The negative regulation of T- or B-cell antigen receptor signaling by CD5 was proposed based on studies of thymocytes and peritoneal B-1a cells from CD5-deficient mice. Here, we show that CD5 is constitutively associated with phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity in Jurkat T cells. CD5 was found associated with the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain containing hematopoietic phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in both Jurkat cells and normal phytohemagglutinin-expanded T lymphoblasts. This interaction was increased upon T-cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 cell stimulation. CD5 co-cross-linking with the TCR-CD3 complex down-regulated the TCR-CD3-increased Ca2+ mobilization in Jurkat cells. In addition, stimulation of Jurkat cells or normal phytohemagglutinin-expanded T lymphoblasts through TCR-CD3 induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of several protein substrates, which was substantially diminished after CD5 cross-linking. The CD5-regulated substrates included CD3zeta, ZAP-70, Syk, and phospholipase Cgammal but not the Src family tyrosine kinase p56(lck). By mutation of all four CD5 intracellular tyrosine residues to phenylalanine, we found the membrane-proximal tyrosine at position 378, which is located in an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory (ITIM)-like motif, crucial for SHP-1 association. The F378 point mutation ablated both SHP-1 binding and the down-regulating activity of CD5 during TCR-CD3 stimulation. These results suggest a critical role of the CD5 ITIM-like motif, which by binding to SHP-1 mediates the down-regulatory activity of this receptor.     

Mitotic activation of protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha and regulation of its Src-mediated transforming activity by its sites of protein kinase C phosphorylation

During mitosis, the catalytic activity of protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) alpha is enhanced, and its inhibitory binding to Grb2, which specifically blocks Src dephosphorylation, is decreased. These effects act synergistically to activate Src in mitosis. We show here that these effects are abrogated by mutation of Ser180 and/or Ser204, the sites of protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation within PTPalpha. Moreover, either a Ser-to-Ala substitution or serine dephosphorylation specifically eliminated the ability of PTPalpha to dephosphorylate and activate Src even during interphase. This explains why the substitutions eliminated PTPalpha transforming activity, even though PTPalpha interphase dephosphorylation of nonspecific substrates was only slightly decreased. This occurred without change in the phosphorylation of PTPalpha at Tyr789, which is required for "phosphotyrosine displacement" during Src dephosphorylation. Thus, in addition to increasing PTPalpha nonspecific catalytic activity, Ser180 and Ser204 phosphorylation (along with Tyr789 phosphorylation) regulates PTPalpha substrate specificity. This involves serine phosphorylation-dependent differential modulation of the affinity of Tyr(P)789 for the Src and Grb2 SH2 domains. The results suggest that protein kinase C may participate in the mitotic activation of PTPalpha and Src and that there are intramolecular interactions between the PTPalpha C-terminal and membrane-proximal regions that are regulated, at least in part, by serine phosphorylation.     

Phosphorylation of tyrosine 720 in the platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor is required for binding of Grb2 and SHP-2 but not for activation of Ras or cell proliferation.

Following binding of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), the PDGF alpha receptor (alphaPDGFR) becomes tyrosine phosphorylated and associates with a number of signal transduction molecules, including phospholipase Cgamma-1 (PLCgamma-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), the phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, Grb2, and Src. Here, we present data identifying a novel phosphorylation site in the kinase insert domain of the alphaPDGFR at tyrosine (Y) 720. We replaced this residue with phenylalanine and expressed the mutated receptor (F720) in Patch fibroblasts that do not express the alphaPDGFR. Characterization of the F720 mutant indicated that binding of two proteins, SHP-2 and Grb2, was severely impaired, whereas PLCgamma-1 and PI3K associated to wild-type levels. In addition, mutating Y720 to phenylalanine dramatically reduced PDGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP-2. Since Y720 was required for recruitment of two proteins, we investigated the mechanism by which these two proteins associated with the alphaPDGFR. SHP-2 bound the alphaPDGFR directly, whereas Grb2 associated indirectly, most probably via SHP-2, as Grb2 and SHP-2 coimmunoprecipitated when SHP-2 was tyrosine phosphorylated. We also compared the ability of the wild-type and F720 alphaPDGFRs to mediate a number of downstream events. Preventing the alphaPDGFR from recruiting SHP-2 and Grb2 did not compromise PDGF-AA-induced activation of Ras, initiation of DNA synthesis, or growth of cells in soft agar. We conclude that phosphorylation of the alphaPDGFR at Y720 is required for association of SHP-2 and Grb2 and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP-2; however, these events are not required for the alphaPDGFR to activate Ras or initiate a proliferative response. In addition, these findings reveal that while SHP-2 binds to both of the receptors, it binds in different locations: to the carboxy terminus of the betaPDGFR but to the kinase insert of the alphaPDGFR.     

Regulation of the Src Kinase-associated Phosphoprotein 55 Homologue by the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase PTP-PEST in the Control of Cell Motility

PTP-PEST is a cytosolic ubiquitous protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) that contains, in addition to its catalytic domain, several protein-protein interaction domains that allow it to interface with several signaling pathways. Among others, PTP-PEST is a key regulator of cellular motility and cytoskeleton dynamics. The complexity of the PTP-PEST interactome underscores the necessity to identify its interacting partners and physiological substrates in order to further understand its role in focal adhesion complex turnover and actin organization. Using a modified yeast substrate trapping two-hybrid system, we identified a cytosolic adaptor protein named Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 55 homologue (SKAP-Hom) as a novel substrate of PTP-PEST. To confirm PTP-PEST interaction with SKAP-Hom, in vitro pull down assays were performed demonstrating that the PTP catalytic domain and Proline-rich 1 (P1) domain are respectively binding to the SKAP-Hom Y260 and Y297 residues and its SH3 domain. Subsequently, we generated and rescued SKAP-Hom-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with WT SKAP-Hom, SKAP-Hom tyrosine mutants (Y260F, Y260F/Y297F), or SKAP-Hom SH3 domain mutant (W335K). Given the role of PTP-PEST, wound-healing and trans-well migration assays were performed using the generated lines. Indeed, SKAP-Hom-deficient MEFs showed a defect in migration compared with WT-rescued MEFs. Interestingly, the SH3 domain mutant-rescued MEFs showed an enhanced cell migration corresponding potentially with higher tyrosine phosphorylation levels of SKAP-Hom. These findings suggest a novel role of SKAP-Hom and its phosphorylation in the regulation of cellular motility. Moreover, these results open new avenues by which PTP-PEST regulates cellular migration, a hallmark of metastasis.     

SHP-1 regulates Lck-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase phosphorylation and activity.

Ligation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) activates the Src family tyrosine kinase p56 Lck, which, in turn, phosphorylates a variety of intracellular substrates. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 are two Lck substrates that have been implicated in TCR signaling. In this study, we demonstrate that SHP-1 co-immunoprecipitates with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K in Jurkat T cells, and that this association is increased by ligation of the TCR complex. Co-expression of SHP-1 and PI3K with a constitutively activated form of Lck in COS7 cells demonstrated the carboxyl-terminal SH2 domain of PI3K to inducibly associate with the full-length SHP-1 protein. By contrast, a truncated SHP-1 mutant lacking the Lck phosphorylation site (Tyr(564)) failed to bind p85. Wild-type but not catalytically inactive SHP-1 induced dephosphorylation of p85. Furthermore, expression of SHP-1 decreased PI3K enzyme activity in anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates and phosphorylation of serine 473 in Akt, a process dependent on PI3K activity. These results indicate the presence of a functional interaction between PI3K and SHP-1 and suggest that PI3K signaling, which has been implicated in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytoskeletal reorganization, and many other biological activities, can be regulated by SHP-1 in T lymphocytes.     

Subdomain X of the kinase domain of Lck binds CD45 and facilitates dephosphorylation

CD45 is a transmembrane, two-domain protein-tyrosine phosphatase expressed exclusively in nucleated hematopoietic cells. The Src family kinase, Lck, is a major CD45 substrate in T cells and CD45 dephosphorylation of Lck is important for both T cell development and activation. However, how the substrate specificity of phosphatases such as CD45 is achieved is not well understood. Analysis of the interaction between the cytoplasmic domain of CD45 and its substrate, Lck, revealed that the active, membrane-proximal phosphatase domain of CD45 (CD45-D1) bound to the phosphorylated Lck kinase domain, the SH2 domain, and the unique N-terminal region of Lck. The second, inactive phosphatase domain (CD45-D2) bound only to the kinase domain of Lck. CD45-D2 was unable to bind phosphotyrosine, and its interaction with the kinase domain of Lck was independent of tyrosine phosphorylation. The binding of CD45-D2 was localized to subdomain X (SD10) of Lck. CD45-D2 bound similarly to Src family kinases but bound Csk to a lesser extent and did not bind significantly to the less related kinase, Erk1. CD45 dephosphorylated Lck and Src at similar rates but dephosphorylated Csk and Erk1 at lower rates. Replacement of Erk1 SD10 with that of Lck resulted in the binding of CD45-D2 and the conversion of Erk1 to a more efficient CD45 substrate. This demonstrates a role for CD45-D2 in binding substrate and identifies the SD10 region in Lck as a novel site involved in substrate recognition.     

Human 70-kDa SHP-1L differs from 68-kDa SHP-1 in its C-terminal structure and catalytic activity.

The tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 functions as a negative regulator in hematopoietic cell development, proliferation, and receptor-mediated cellular activation. In Jurkat T cells, a major 68-kDa band and a minor 70-kDa band were immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody against the SHP-1 protein-tyrosine phosphatase domain, while an antibody against the SHP-1 C-terminal 19 amino acids recognized only the 68-kDa SHP-1. The SDS-gel-purified 70-kDa protein was subjected to tryptic mapping and microsequencing, which was followed by molecular cloning. It revealed that the 70-kDa protein, termed SHP-1L, is a C-terminal alternatively spliced form of SHP-1. SHP-1L is 29 amino acids longer than SHP-1, and its 66 C-terminal amino acids are different from SHP-1. The C terminus of SHP-1L contains a proline-rich motif PVPGPPVLSP, a potential Src homology 3 domain-binding site. In contrast to SHP-1, tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP-1L is not detected upon stimulation in Jurkat T cells. This is apparently due to the lack of a single in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation site, which only exists in the C terminus of SHP-1 (Y564). COS cell-expressed glutathione S-transferase-SHP-1L can dephosphorylate tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP70. At pH 7.4, SHP-1L was shown to be more active than SHP-1 in the dephosphorylation of ZAP70. At pH 5.4, SHP-1L and SHP-1 exhibited similar catalytic activity. It is likely that these two isoforms play different roles in the regulation of hematopoietic cell signal transduction.     

An intracellular multi-effector complex mediates somatostatin receptor 1 activation of phospho-tyrosine phosphatase eta

The receptor-like phosphotyrosine phosphatase eta (PTPeta) is an important intracellular effector of the cytostatic action of SST. Here we characterize, in Chinese hamster ovary-k1 cells, the intracellular pathway that from somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1), leads to the activation of PTPeta and that involves, in a multimeric complex and sequential activation, the tyrosine kinases Janus kinase (JAK) 2 and Src, and the cytosolic phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. We show that inhibitors of JAK2 and Src and dominant-negative mutants of SHP-2 and Src abolished the SSTR1-mediated PTPeta activation, suggesting that all these effectors participate in the activation of PTPeta. In basal conditions, JAK2 forms a multimeric complex with SHP-2, Src and PTPeta. In response to SST, JAK2 is activated in a G protein-dependent manner, dissociates from and phosphorylates SHP-2, increasing its activity. Subsequently, SHP-2 dissociates from Src, dephosphorylates the Src inhibitory tyrosine-529, and causes an autocatalytical increase of the phosphorylation of Src tyrosine 418, located inside its kinase activation loop. Active Src, in turn, controls the activity of PTPeta, via a direct interaction and phosphorylation of the phosphatase. These data for the first time depict an intracellular pathway involving a precise sequence of interactions and cross-activation among tyrosine phosphatases and kinases acting upstream of PTPeta. In particular the sequential activation of JAK2, SHP-2, and Src conveys the molecular signaling from SSTR1 to the activation of this phosphatase that is responsible for the final biological effects of SST.     

A phosphotyrosine displacement mechanism for activation of Src by PTPalpha

Protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha (PTPalpha) is believed to dephosphorylate physiologically the Src proto-oncogene at phosphotyrosine (pTyr)527, a critical negative-regulatory residue. It thereby activates Src, and PTPalpha overexpression neoplastically transforms NIH 3T3 cells. pTyr789 in PTPalpha is constitutively phosphorylated and binds Grb2, an interaction that may inhibit PTPalpha activity. We show here that this phosphorylation also specifically enables PTPalpha to dephosphorylate pTyr527. Tyr789-->Phe mutation abrogates PTPalpha-Src binding, dephosphorylation of pTyr527 (although not of other substrates), and neoplastic transformation by overexpressed PTPalpha in vivo. We suggest that pTyr789 enables pTyr527 dephosphorylation by a pilot binding with the Src SH2 domain that displaces the intramolecular pTyr527-SH2 binding. Consistent with model predictions, we find that excess SH2 domains can disrupt PTPalpha-Src binding and can block PTPalpha-mediated dephosphorylation and activation in proportion to their affinity for pTyr789. Moreover, we show that, as predicted by the model, catalytically defective PTPalpha has reduced Src binding in vivo. The displacement mechanism provides another potential control point for physiological regulation of Src-family signal transduction pathways.     

Substrate specificity of protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B, RPTPα, SHP-1, and SHP-2

We determined the substrate specificities of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) PTP1B, RPTPα, SHP-1, and SHP-2 by on-bead screening of combinatorial peptide libraries and solution-phase kinetic analysis of individually synthesized phosphotyrosyl (pY) peptides. These PTPs exhibit different levels of sequence specificity and catalytic efficiency. The catalytic domain of RPTPα has very weak sequence specificity and is approximately 2 orders of magnitude less active than the other three PTPs. The PTP1B catalytic domain has modest preference for acidic residues on both sides of pY, is highly active toward multiply phosphorylated peptides, but disfavors basic residues at any position, a Gly at the pY-1 position, or a Pro at the pY+1 position. By contrast, SHP-1 and SHP-2 share similar but much narrower substrate specificities, with a strong preference for acidic and aromatic hydrophobic amino acids on both sides of the pY residue. An efficient SHP-1/2 substrate generally contains two or more acidic residues on the N-terminal side and one or more acidic residues on the C-terminal side of pY but no basic residues. Subtle differences exist between SHP-1 and SHP-2 in that SHP-1 has a stronger preference for acidic residues at the pY-1 and pY+1 positions and the two SHPs prefer acidic residues at different positions N-terminal to pY. A survey of the known protein substrates of PTP1B, SHP-1, and SHP-2 shows an excellent agreement between the in vivo dephosphorylation pattern and the in vitro specificity profiles derived from library screening. These results suggest that different PTPs have distinct sequence specificity profiles and the intrinsic activity/specificity of the PTP domain is an important determinant of the enzyme's in vivo substrate specificity.     

Actin tyrosine dephosphorylation by the Src homology 1-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase is essential for actin depolymerization after membrane IgM cross-linking

Src homology protein 1 (SHP-1) plays an important role in B cell Ag receptor (BCR) differentiation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. After BCR stimulation in apoptotic cells, SHP-1 has been shown to be recruited to phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs present in receptors such as CD22 and CD72. However, the substrates of SHP-1 in the chicken B cell line, DT40, have remained undefined. To identify SHP-1 substrates in DT40, we used a trapping mutant, SHP-1 C/S (a catalytically inactive form). Cross-linking of BCR induced hyperphosphorylation of approximately 44-kDa protein in C/S transfectants. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed that this was actin (cytoplasmic type 5) carrying three immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif-like sequences. SHP-1 was shown to bind to one of these sequences in synthetic peptide binding experiment. Thus, actin is a direct SHP-1 substrate. Furthermore, more SHP-1 molecules translocate into lipid rafts, and their association with actin was increased after BCR stimulation. In C/S transfectants, actin polymerization induced by membrane IgM ligation was sustained to a greater extent for a longer time compared with wild-type transfectants. Therefore, actin dephosphorylation by SHP-1 is essential for actin depolymerization after BCR stimulation. Our data suggest that SHP-1 plays a pivotal role in reorganization of cytoskeletal architecture inducing actin dephosphorylation. These results clearly demonstrate the direct interaction of SHP-1 with actin.     

Activation of Src kinase by protein–tyrosine phosphatase–PEST in osteoclasts: Comparative analysis of the effects of bisphosphonate and protein–tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor on Src activation in vitro

PTP–PEST is involved in the regulation of sealing ring formation in osteoclasts. In this article, we have shown a regulatory role for PTP–PEST on dephosphorylation of c‐Src at Y527 and phosphorylation at Y418 in the catalytic site. Activation of Src in osteoclasts by over‐expression of PTP–PEST resulted in the phosphorylation of cortactin at Y421 and WASP at Y294. Also enhanced as a result, is the interaction of Src, cortactin, and Arp2 with WASP. Moreover, the number of osteoclasts displaying sealing ring and bone resorbing activity was increased in response to PTP–PEST over‐expression as compared with control osteoclasts. Cells expressing constitutively active‐Src (527YΔF) simulate the effects mediated by PTP–PEST. Treatment of osteoclasts with a bisphosphonate alendronate or a potent PTP inhibitor PAO decreased the activity and phosphorylation of Src at Y418 due to reduced dephosphorylation state at Y527. Therefore, Src‐mediated phosphorylation of cortactin and WASP as well as the formation of WASP·cortactin·Arp2 complex and sealing ring were reduced in these osteoclasts. Similar effects were observed in osteoclasts treated with an Src inhibitor PP2. We have shown that bisphosphonates could modulate the function of osteoclasts by inhibiting downstream signaling mediated by PTP–PEST/Src, in addition to its effect on the inhibition of the post‐translational modification of small GTP‐binding proteins such as Rab, Rho, and Rac as shown by others. The promising effects of the inhibitors PP2 and PAO on osteoclast function suggest a therapeutic approach for patients with bone metastases and osteoporosis as an alternative to bisphosphonates. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 382–393, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Kinetic comparison of the catalytic domains of SHP-1 and SHP-2

The phosphatase activity of SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP) is inhibited by its SH2 domains and C-terminal tail. In order to determine the inhibitory effects of the SH2 domains and C-terminal tail, we have expressed and purified the catalytic domains of SHP-1 and SHP-2, and the SH2 domain truncated SHP-1 and SHP-2. We have then measured their kinetic parameters using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (p-NPP) and phosphotyrosine (pY) as substrates under the same experimental conditions. The results indicate that the pH-dependent profiles of SHP-1 and SHP-2 are mainly determined by their catalytic domains. Both enzymes have maximum activity at pH 5.0. In addition, the phosphatase activity of different forms of SHP-1 and SHP-2 decreases as the salt concentration increases. Without SH2 domains, both SHP-1 and SHP-2 are no longer inhibited by their C-terminal tails. However, the C-terminal tail of SHP-1 can further prevent the salt inhibition of the phosphatase activity. Under the same experimental conditions, the catalytic domain of SHP-1 is two times more active than the catalytic domain of SHP-2.     

Defining SH2 domain and PTP specificity by screening combinatorial peptide libraries

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains mediate protein-protein interactions by recognizing short phosphotyrosyl (pY) peptide motifs in their partner proteins. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) catalyze the dephosphorylation of pY proteins, counteracting the protein tyrosine kinases. Both types of proteins exhibit primary sequence specificity, which plays at least a partial role in dictating their physiological interacting partners or substrates. A combinatorial peptide library method has been developed to systematically assess the sequence specificity of SH2 domains and PTPs. A "one-bead-one-compound" pY peptide library is synthesized on 90-microm TentaGel beads and screened against an SH2 domain or PTP of interest for binding or catalysis. The beads that carry the tightest binding sequences against the SH2 domain or the most efficient substrates of the PTP are selected by an enzyme-linked assay and individually sequenced by a partial Edman degradation/mass spectrometry technique. The combinatorial method has been applied to determine the sequence specificity of 8 SH2 domains from Src and Csk kinases, adaptor protein Grb2, and phosphatases SHP-1, SHP-2, and SHIP1 and a prototypical PTP, PTP1B.     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 specifically recognizes C-terminal residues of its substrates via helix alpha0

The catalytic domain of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 possesses distinct substrate specificity. It recognizes the P-3 to P-5 residues of its substrates via the beta5-loop-beta6 region. To study the substrate specificity further, we determined the structure of the catalytic domain of SHP-1 (C455S) complexed with a less-favorable-substrate peptide originated from SIRPalpha. The complex has disordered N-terminal peptide structure and reduced interactions between the N-terminal peptide and the beta5-loop-beta6 region. This could be the basis for the lower affinity of peptide pY(427) for the catalytic domain of SHP-1. In addition, by comparing the SHP-1/less-favorable peptide complex structure with the SHP-1/substrate complex structures, we identified a novel substrate-recognition site in the catalytic domain of SHP-1. This site was formed by helix alpha0 and the alpha5-loop-alpha6 motif of SHP-1, and specifically bound residues at the P + 4 and further C-terminal positions of peptide substrates.     

Consensus substrate sequence for protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z (Ptprz) has multiple substrate proteins, including G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interactor 1 (Git1), membrane-associated guanylate kinase, WW and PDZ domain-containing 1 (Magi1), and GTPase-activating protein for Rho GTPase (p190RhoGAP). We have identified a dephosphorylation site at Tyr-1105 of p190RhoGAP; however, the structural determinants employed for substrate recognition of Ptprz have not been fully defined. In the present study, we revealed that Ptprz selectively dephosphorylates Git1 at Tyr-554, and Magi1 at Tyr-373 and Tyr-858 by in vitro and cell-based assays. Of note, the dephosphorylation of the Magi1 Tyr-858 site required PDZ domain-mediated interaction between Magi1 and Ptprz in the cellular context. Alignment of the primary sequences surrounding the target phosphotyrosine residue in these three substrates showed considerable similarity, suggesting a consensus motif for recognition by Ptprz. We then estimated the contribution of surrounding individual amino acid side chains to the catalytic efficiency by using fluorescent peptides based on the Git1 Tyr-554 sequence in vitro. The typical substrate motif for the catalytic domain of Ptprz was deduced to be Glu/Asp-Glu/Asp-Glu/Asp-Xaa-Ile/Val-Tyr(P)-Xaa (Xaa is not an acidic residue). Intriguingly, a G854D substitution of the Magi1 Tyr-858 site matching better to the motif sequence turned this site to be susceptible to dephosphorylation by Ptprz independent of the PDZ domain-mediated interaction in cells. Furthermore, we found by database screening that the substrate motif is present in several proteins, including paxillin at Tyr-118, its major phosphorylation site. Expectedly, we verified that Ptprz efficiently dephosphorylates paxillin at this site in cells. Our study thus provides key insights into the molecular basis for the substrate recognition of Ptprz.     

The role of C-terminal tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of SHP-1 explored via expressed protein ligation

The protein-tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 plays a variety of roles in the "negative" regulation of cell signaling. The molecular basis for the regulation of SHP-1 is incompletely understood. Whereas SHP-1 has previously been shown to be phosphorylated on two tail tyrosine residues (Tyr(536) and Tyr(564)) by several protein-tyrosine kinases, the effects of these phosphorylation events have been difficult to address because of the intrinsic instability of the linkages within a protein-tyrosine phosphatase. Using expressed protein ligation, we have generated semisynthetic SHP-1 proteins containing phosphotyrosine mimetics at the Tyr(536) and Tyr(564) sites. Two phosphonate analogues were installed, phosphonomethylenephenylalanine (Pmp) and difluorophosphonomethylenephenylalanine (F(2)Pmp). Incorporation of Pmp at the 536 site led to 4-fold stimulation of the SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase activity whereas incorporation at the 564 site led to no effect. Incorporation of F(2)Pmp at the 536 site led to 8-fold stimulation of the SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase activity and 1.6-fold at the 564 site. A combination of size exclusion chromatography, phosphotyrosine peptide stimulation studies, and site-directed mutagenesis led to the structural model in which tyrosine phosphorylation at the 536 site engages the N-Src homology 2 domain in an intramolecular fashion relieving basal inhibition. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation at the 564 site has the potential to engage the C-Src homology 2 domain intramolecularly, which can modestly and indirectly influence catalytic activity. The finding that phosphonate modification at each of the 536 and 564 sites can promote interaction with the Grb2 adaptor protein indicates that the intramolecular interactions fostered by post-translational modifications of tyrosine are not energetically strong and susceptible to intermolecular competition.     

A new paradigm for regulation of protein phosphatase 2A function via Src and Fyn kinase–mediated tyrosine phosphorylation

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major phospho-Ser/Thr phosphatase and a key regulator of cellular signal transduction pathways. While PP2A dysfunction has been linked to human cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), PP2A regulation remains relatively poorly understood. It has been reported that the PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) is inactivated by a single phosphorylation at the Tyr307 residue by tyrosine kinases such as v-Src. However, multiple mass spectrometry studies have revealed the existence of other putative PP2Ac phosphorylation sites in response to activation of Src and Fyn, two major Src family kinases (SFKs). Here, using PP2Ac phosphomutants and novel phosphosite-specific PP2Ac antibodies, we show that cellular pools of PP2Ac are instead phosphorylated on both Tyr127 and Tyr284 upon Src activation, and on Tyr284 following Fyn activation. We found these phosphorylation events enhanced the interaction of PP2Ac with SFKs. In addition, we reveal SFK-mediated phosphorylation of PP2Ac at Y284 promotes dissociation of the regulatory Bα subunit, altering PP2A substrate specificity; the phosphodeficient Y127/284F and Y284F PP2Ac mutants prevented SFK-mediated phosphorylation of Tau at the CP13 (pSer202) epitope, a pathological hallmark of AD, and SFK-dependent activation of ERK, a major growth regulatory kinase upregulated in many cancers. Our findings demonstrate a novel PP2A regulatory mechanism that challenges the existing dogma on the inhibition of PP2A catalytic activity by Tyr307 phosphorylation. We propose dysregulation of SFK signaling in cancer and AD can lead to alterations in PP2A phosphorylation and subsequent deregulation of key PP2A substrates, including ERK and Tau.