Structure and substrate recognition of the Staphylococcus aureus protein tyrosine phosphatase PtpA

Phosphosignaling through pSer/pThr/pTyr is emerging as a common signaling mechanism in prokaryotes. The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus produces two low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), PtpA and PtpB, with unknown functions. To provide the structural context for understanding PtpA function and substrate recognition, establish PtpA's structural relations within the PTP family, and provide a framework for the design of specific inhibitors, we solved the crystal structure of PtpA at 1 Å resolution. While PtpA adopts the common, conserved PTP fold and shows close overall similarity to eukaryotic PTPs, several features in the active site and surface organization are unique and can be explored to design selective inhibitors. A peptide bound in the active site mimics a phosphotyrosine substrate, affords insight into substrate recognition, and provides a testable substrate prediction. Genetic deletion of ptpA or ptpB does not affect in vitro growth or cell wall integrity, raising the possibility that PtpA and PtpB have specialized functions during infection.     

Prostatic epithelial cells in culture: phosphorylation of protein tyrosyl residues and tyrosine protein kinase activity.

The ability of dividing canine prostatic epithelial cells in primary monolayers to phosphorylate protein tyrosyl residues was evaluated by metabolic studies performed through incorporation of [32P]-phosphate into alkali-resistant phosphoproteins and by the assay of their tyrosine protein kinase activity. The presence of sodium orthovanadate during cell incubation with [32P]-phosphate greatly enhanced the relative labelling intensity of a 44 kDa alkali-resistant phosphoprotein and the total cellular content of phosphotyrosine in proteins; in this respect, growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I, and the steroids dihydrotestosterone and estradiol were inactive. When the cells were solubilized, sodium orthovanadate stimulated their tyrosine protein kinase activity and inhibited their phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity. To characterize the tyrosine protein kinase of these cultured cells, conditions for optimal activity were established using the substrate poly [Glu80Na, Tyr20]. The subcellular localization of the enzyme was determined upon cell fractionation: 88% of the kinase activity was associated with the particulate fraction and 30% of this activity was partially solubilized with 0.5% Triton X-100; this solubilization was improved to 83% in the presence of 0.25 M KCI. The enzyme directly solubilized from prostatic cells with Triton X-100 (38% of activity) mainly catalyzed the alkali-resistant phosphorylation of pp63, pp59, and pp44, which contained phosphotyrosine. These proteins were also phosphorylated by the major peak of kinase activity which was eluted at an apparent molecular weight of 300-350 kDa upon gel filtration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator proteins are required for a subset of the functions disrupted by protein phosphatase 2A mutations

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, PTPA is encoded by two genes, YPA1 and YPA2. In order to examine the biological role of PTPA as potential regulator of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), we compared the phenotypes of the ypaDelta mutants with these of PP2A-deficient strains. While deletion of both YPA genes is lethal, deletion of YPA1 alone results in a phenotype resembling that of PP2A-deficient strains in specific aspects such as aberrant bud morphology, abnormal actin distribution, and similar growth defects under various growth conditions. These phenotypes were even more pronounced when YPA1 was deleted in a pph21Delta genetic background. Moreover, ypaDelta mutants are hypersensitive to nocodazole and show inappropriate mitotic spindle formation as previously described for mutants in the catalytic subunit of PP2A, suggesting that Ypa, like PP2A, has a function in mitotic spindle formation. These results are consistent with an in vivo role of Ypa as a regulator of PP2A. However, unlike a PP2A-deficient strain, ypaDelta mutants do not show a G2 arrest. Therefore, Ypa does not seem to play a role in the regulation of PP2A at this stage of the cell cycle. These results imply that Ypa regulates a specific subset of PP2A functions, possibly by controlling the subunit composition of PP2A.     

Structural and mechanistic basis for the activation of a low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase by adenine

Although the activation of low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases by certain purines and purine derivatives was first described three decades ago, the mechanism of this rate enhancement was unknown. As an example, adenine activates the yeast low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase LTP1 more than 30-fold. To examine the structural and mechanistic basis of this phenomenon, we have determined the crystal structure of yeast LTP1 complexed with adenine. In the crystal structure, an adenine molecule is found bound in the active site cavity, sandwiched between the side chains of two large hydrophobic residues at the active site. Hydrogen bonding to the side chains of other active site residues, as well as some water-mediated hydrogen bonds, also helps to fix the position of the bound adenine molecule. An ordered water was found in proximity to the bound phosphate ion present in the active site, held by hydrogen bonding to N3 of adenine and Odelta1 of Asp-132. On the basis of the crystal structure, we propose that this water molecule is the nucleophile that participates in the dephosphorylation of the phosphoenzyme intermediate. Solvent isotope effect studies show that there is no rate-determining transfer of a solvent-derived proton in the transition state for the dephosphorylation of the phosphoenzyme intermediate. Such an absence of general base catalysis of water attack is consistent with the stability of the leaving group, namely, the thiolate anion of Cys-13. Consequently, adenine activates the enzyme by binding and orienting a water nucleophile in proximity to the phosphoryl group of the phosphoenzyme intermediate, thus increasing the rate of the dephosphorylation step, a step that is normally the rate-limiting step of this enzymatic reaction.     

Knock-down of LAR protein tyrosine phosphatase induces insulin resistance

To test the role of the leukocyte common antigen-related protein tyrosine phosphatase (LAR) as a regulator of insulin receptor (IR) signalling, an siRNA probe against LAR was developed. Knock-down of LAR induced post-receptor insulin resistance with the insulin-induced activation of PKB/Akt and MAP kinases markedly inhibited. The phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the IR and insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins were unaffected by LAR knock-down. These results identify LAR as a crucial regulator of the sensitivity of two key insulin signalling pathways to insulin. Moreover, the siRNA probe provides a molecular tool of general applicability for further dissecting the precise targets and roles of LAR.     

Structural basis of interaction between protein tyrosine phosphatase PCP-2 and β-catenin

PCP-2 is a member of receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase of the MAM domain family. To investigate which part of PCP-2 was involved in its interaction with β-catenin, we constructed various deletion mutants of PCP-2. These PCP-2 mutants and wild-type PCP-2 were co-transfected into BHK-21 cells with β-catenin individually. Anin vivo binding assay revealed that the expression of wild-type PCP-2, PCP-2 ΔC1C2 (deleted PCP-2 without both PTP domains) and PCP-2 ΔC2 (deleted PCP-2 without the second PTP domain) could be immunoprecipitated by anti-catenin antibody in every co-transfection, but PCP-2 EXT (deleted PCP-2 without the juxtamembrane region and both PTP domains) was missing, which implied that PCP-2 and β-catenin could associate directly and the juxtamembrane region in PCP-2 was sufficient for the process.     

Pleiotrophin stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-adducin through inactivation of the transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase beta/zeta

Pleiotrophin (PTN the protein, Ptn the gene) signals through a unique mechanism; it inactivates the tyrosine phosphatase activity of its receptor, the transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP)beta/zeta, and increases tyrosine phosphorylation of the substrates of RPTPbeta/zeta through the continued activity of a yet to be described protein tyrosine kinase(s) in PTN-stimulated cells. We have now found that the cytoskeletal protein beta-adducin interacts with the intracellular domain of RPTPbeta/zeta in a yeast two-hybrid system, that beta-adducin is a substrate of RPTPbeta/zeta, that beta-adducin is phosphorylated in tyrosine in cells not stimulated by PTN, and that tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-adducin is sharply increased in PTN-stimulated cells, suggesting that beta-adducin is a downstream target of and regulated by the PTN/RPTPbeta/zeta signaling pathway. beta-Catenin was the first downstream target of the PTN/RPTPbeta/zeta signaling pathway to be identified; these data thus also suggest that PTN coordinately regulates steady state levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of the important cytoskeletal proteins beta-adducin and beta-catenin and, through PTN-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation, beta-adducin may contribute to the disruption of cytoskeletal structure, increased plasticity, and loss of homophilic cell-cell adhesion that are the consequences of PTN stimulation of cells and a characteristic feature of different malignant cells with mutations that activate constitutive expression of the endogenous Ptn gene.     

Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and alkaline phosphatase by bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV)

Vanadate has been recognized as a specific and potent phosphatase inhibitor since its structure is similar to that of phosphate. In this study, we measured the inhibition of glutathione S-transferase-tagged protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (GST-PTP1B) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by the insulin enhancing compounds, bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV). The results showed that the activity of GST-PTP1B was reversibly inhibited by solutions of BMOV with an IC₅₀ value of 0.86 ± 0.02 μM. Steady state kinetic studies showed that inhibition of GST-PTP1B by BMOV was of a mixed competitive and noncompetitive type. In addition, incubation of GST-PTP1B with BMOV showed a time-dependent biphasic inactivation of the protein. On the other hand, the inhibitory behavior of BMOV on ALP activity was reversible and competitive with an IC₅₀ value of 32.1 ± 0.6 μM. Incubation with BMOV did not show biphasic inactivation of ALP. The reversible inhibition of GST-PTP1B by BMOV is more potent than that of ALP, but solutions of BMOV inhibited both enzymes. This data support the suggestion that mechanisms for the inhibitory effects of BMOV on GST-PTP1B and ALP are very different.     

Expression,purification and characterization of recombinant protein tyrosine phosphatase from Thermus thermophilus HB27

The low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phospha- tases （PTPase） exist ubiquitously in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and play important roles in the regulation of physiological activities. We report here the expression, purification and characterization of an active and soluble PTPase from Thermus thermophilus HB27 in Escherichia coli. This PTPase has an optimum pH range of 2.8-4.8 when using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as the substrate. The thermal inactivation results indicate a high thermal stability of this enzyme, with the optimum temperature of 75℃ for activity. It can be activated by Mn^2＋, Mg^2＋, Ca^2＋, Ba^2＋, and Ni^2＋, but inhibited by Zn^2＋, Cu^2＋, Cl^-, and SO^2-. These results suggest that this heat-resistant PTPase may play important roles in vivo in the adaptation of the microorganism to extreme temperatures and specific nutritional conditions.     

Crystal structures of a low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its complex with the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate

Low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases are virtually ubiquitous, which implies that they have important cellular functions. We present here the 2.2 A resolution X-ray crystallographic structure of wild-type LTP1, a low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also present the structure of an inactive mutant substrate complex of LTP1 with p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) at a resolution of 1.7 A. The crystal structures of the wild-type protein and of the inactive mutant both have two molecules per asymmetric unit. The wild-type protein crystal was grown in HEPES buffer, a sulfonate anion that resembles the phosphate substrate, and a HEPES molecule was found with nearly full occupancy in the active site. Although the fold of LTP1 resembles that of its bovine counterpart BPTP, there are significant changes around the active site that explain differences in their kinetic behavior. In the crystal of the inactive mutant of LTP1, one molecule has a pNPP in the active site, while the other has a phosphate ion. The aromatic residues lining the walls of the active site cavity exhibit large relative movements between the two molecules. The phosphate groups present in the structures of the mutant protein bind more deeply in the active site (that is, closer to the position of nucleophilic cysteine side chain) than does the sulfonate group of the HEPES molecule in the wild-type structure. This further confirms the important role of the phosphate-binding loop in stabilizing the deep binding position of the phosphate group, thus helping to bring the phosphate close to the thiolate anion of nucleophilic cysteine, and facilitating the formation of the phosphoenzyme intermediate.     

The receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase mu, PTPmu, regulates histogenesis of the chick retina

The formation of laminae within the retina requires the coordinate regulation of cell differentiation and migration. The cell adhesion molecule and member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase Mu, PTPmu, is expressed in precursor and early, differentiated cells of the prelaminated retina, and later becomes restricted to the inner plexiform, ganglion cell, and optic fiber layers. Since the timing of PTPmu expression correlates with the peak period of retinal lamination, we examined whether this RPTP could be regulating cell adhesion and migration within the retina, and thus influencing retinal development. Chick retinal organ cultures were infected with herpes simplex viruses encoding either an antisense sequence to PTPmu, wild-type PTPmu, or a catalytically inactive mutant form of PTPmu, and homophilic adhesion was blocked by using a function-blocking antibody. All conditions that perturbed PTPmu dramatically disrupted retinal histogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that catalytic activity and adhesion mediated by PTPmu regulate lamination of the retina, emphasizing the importance of adhesion and signaling via receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases in the developing nervous system. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that an Ig superfamily RPTP regulates the lamination of any neural tissue.     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51) is a novel mitochondria protein with an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence and induces apoptosis

Apoptosis is a genetically determined cell suicide program. Mitochondria play a central role in this process and various molecules have been shown to regulate apoptosis in this organelle. In the present study, we firstly identified that protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51) is a novel mitochondrial protein, which may induce apoptosis in HEK293T and HeLa cell lines. PTPIP51 transfection resulted in the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), activation of caspase-3, cleavage of PARP, and condensation of nuclear DNA. Further investigation revealed that PTPIP51 over-expression caused a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c, suggesting that it may be involved in a mitochondria/cytochrome c mediated apoptosis pathway. We also found that a putative TM domain near the N terminus of PTPIP51 is required for its targeting to mitochondria, as evidenced by the finding that deletion of the PTPIP51 TM domain prevented the protein's mitochondiral localization. Furthermore, this deletion significantly influenced the ability of PTPIP51 to induce apoptosis. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that PTPIP51 is a mitochondrial protein with apoptosis-inducing function and that the N-terminal TM domain is required for both the correct targeting of the protein to mitochondria and its apoptotic functions.     

Decrease in protein tyrosine phosphatase activities in vanadate-treated obese Zucker (fa/fa) rat liver

The inhibitory action of vanadate towards protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) has been considered as a probable mechanism by which it exerts insulin-like effects. In this study, we have examined thein vivo effects of vanadate on PTPases in the liver of obese Zucker rats, a genetic animal model for obesity and type II diabetes. These animals were characterized by hyperinsulinemia and mild hyperglycemia. The number of insulin receptors were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in liver. After chronic administration of vanadate in obese rats, 80% decrease in the plasma levels of insulin was observed. The insulin receptor numbers were significantly (p<0.01) higher in vanadate-treated obese rats as compared to the untreated ones. The hepatic PTPase activities in cytosolic and particulate fractions, with phosphorylated poly glu:tyr (41) and the insulin receptor peptide (residues 1142–1153) as substrates, increased in obese rats. In vanadate-treated obese rat livers, the PTPase activities in both subcellular fractions with these substrates decreased significantly (p<0.001). The decreases in PTPase activities from these groups of rats were further supported by chromatography on a Mono Q column. These data support the view that inhibition of PTPases plays a role in the insulin-mimetic action of vanadate.     

Expression,purification, and characterization of a novel acid phosphatase that displays protein tyrosine phosphatases activity from Metarhizium anisopliae strain CQMa102

The protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) plays an important role in insect immune system. Our group has purified a type of acid phosphatase that could specifically dephosphorylate trans-Golgi p230 in vitro. In order to study this phosphatase further, we have identified and cloned the phosphatase gene from a locust specific Metarhizium anisopliae Strain CQMa102. The CQMa102 phosphatase was expressed in Pichia pastoris to verify its protease activity. The molecular weight (M_W) and the isoelectric point (pI) of the phosphatase were about 85 kDa and 6.15, respectively. Substrate specificity evaluation showed that the purified enzyme exhibited high activity on O-phospho-L-tyrosine. At its optimal pH of 6.5 and optimum temperature of 70 °C, the protein showed the highest activity respectively. It can be activated by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Co²⁺ and phosphate analogs, but inhibited by Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, fluoride, dithiothreitol, β-mercaptoethanol and N-ethylmaleimide.     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51) mRNA expression and localization and its in vitro interacting partner protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in human placenta of the first, second, and third trimester

The cellular localization of protein tyrosine phosphatase 51 (PTPIP51) and its in vitro interacting partner protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) was studied in human placentae of different gestational stages. The expression of PTPIP51 protein and mRNA was observed in the syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast layer of placentae from the first, second, and third trimesters. In contrast, PTP1B expression was restricted to the syncytiotrophoblast during all gestational stages. Cells of the cytotrophoblasts and parts of the syncytiotrophoblasts expressing high amounts of PTPIP51 were found to execute apoptosis as shown by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay, cytokeratin 18f, and caspase 3 expression. PTPIP51 could also be traced in the endothelium and smooth muscle cells of placental arterial and venous vessels, identified by double immunostainings with antibodies directed against van Willebrand factor and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Some of these cells showing a high PTPIP51 reactivity were Ki67 positive, indicating proliferation. Additionally, a small population of placental CD14-positive macrophages and mesenchymal cells within the villous stroma were detected as PTPIP51 positive. Our data suggest that both proteins, PTPIP51 and PTP1B, play a role in differentiation and apoptosis of the cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, respectively. Moreover, PTPIP51 may also serve as a cellular signaling partner in angiogenesis and vascular remodeling.     

Identification of integrin alpha1 as an interacting protein of protein tyrosine phosphatase PRL-3

PRL-3 is a newly identified protein tyrosine phosphatase associated with tumor metastasis. It is over-expressed in various cancers, such as colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and ovarian cancer, and is correlated with the progression and survival of cancers. Although PRL-3 plays a causative role in promoting cancer cell invasion and metastasis, the molecular mechanism is unknown. To investigate PRL-3's roles in tumorigenesis and signal transduction pathway, we screened the human placenta brain cDNA library with the bait of PRL-3 in yeast two-hybrid system. Then we identified integrin alpha1 as a PRL-3-interacting protein for the first time, and verified this physical association with pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, we found that PRL-3 could down-regulate the tyrosine-phosphorylation level of integrin beta1 and increased the phosphorylation level of Erk1/2. Our present discovery will provide new clues for elucidating the molecular mechanism of PRL-3 in promoting cancer invasion and metastasis.     

Enhanced expression of a chromatin associated protein tyrosine phosphatase during G0 to S transition

The non-transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase, PTP-S, is located predominantly in the cell nucleus in association with chromatin. Here we have analysed the expression of PTP-S upon mitogenic stimulation and during cell division cycle. During liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, PTP-S mRNA levels increased 16-fold after 6 h (G₁ phase) and declined thereafter. Upon stimulation of serum starved cells in culture with serum, PTP-S mRNA levels increased reaching a maximum during late G₁ phase and declined thereafter. No significant change in PTP-S RNA levels was observed in growing cells during cell cycle. PTP^-S protein levels were also found to increase upon mitogenic stimulation. Upon serum starvation for 72 h, PTP-S protein disappears from the nucleus and is seen in the cytoplasm; after 96 h of serum starvation the PTP-S protein disappears from the nucleus as well as cytoplasm. Refeeding of starved cells for 6 h results in reappearance of this protein in the nucleus. Our results suggest a role of this phosphatase during cell proliferation.     

Molecular cloning,nucleotide sequence and expression of a cDNA encoding an intracellular protein tyrosine phosphatase,PTPase-2, from mouse testis and T-cells

The PTP-2 cDNA encoding an intracellular protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase-2) was isolated and sequenced from mouse testis and T-cell cDNA libraries. This PTP-2 cDNA was found to be homologous to human PTP-TC and rat PTP-S, and contained 1,551 nucleotides, including 1,146 nucleotides encoding 382 amino acids as well as 5 (61 nucleotides) and 3 (344 nucleotides) non-coding regions. Northern blot analysis indicated that PTP-2 mRNA of 1.9 Kb was most abundant in testis and kidney, although it was also present in spleen, muscle, liver, heart and brain.Abbreviations PTPase Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (EC3.1.3.48) - PTKase Protein Tyrosine Kinase (EC2.7.1.112)     

Differential effects of flavonoids on bovine kidney low molecular mass protein tyrosine phosphatase

Among the structurally related flavonoids tested on the bovine kidney low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMrPTP) activity, quercetin activated by about 2.6-fold the p-nitrophenyl-phosphate (p-NPP)-directed reaction, in contrast to morin that acted as a competitive inhibitor, with Ki values of 87, 73 and 50 μM for p-NPP, FMN, and tyrosine-phosphate, respectively. Other related flavonoids, such as rutin, kaempferol, catechin, narigin, phloretin and taxifolin did not significantly affect the LMrPTP activity.

The positions of the hydroxyl groups in the structures of the flavonoids were important for their distinct effects on LMrPTP activity. The hydroxyl groups at C3′ and C4′ and the presence of a double bond at C2 and C3 were essential for the activating effect of quercetin. The absence of the 3′-OH (kaempferol), absence of the double bond (taxifolin) and the presence of the sugar rutinose at the 3-OH (rutin) suppressed the effect of quercetin. The C2′- and C4′-hydroxyl groups, the presence of the double bond, and a C4-ketone group were important requirements for the inhibitory effects of morin.     

Aging-related attenuation of EGF receptor signaling is mediated in part by increased protein tyrosine phosphatase activity

As fibroblasts near senescence, their responsiveness to external signals diminishes. This well-documented phenomenon likely underlies physiological deterioration and limited tissue regeneration in aging individuals. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms would provide opportunities to ameliorate these situations. A key stimulus for human dermal fibroblasts are ligands for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We have shown earlier that EGFR expression decreases by about half in near senescent fibroblasts (Shiraha et al., 2000, J. Biol. Chem. 275 (25), 19343-19351). However, as the cell responses are nearly absent near senescence, other aging-related signal attenuation changes must also occur. Herein, we show that EGFR signaling as determined by receptor autophosphorylation is diminished over 80%, with a corresponding decrease in the phosphorylation of the immediate postreceptor adaptor Shc. Interestingly, we found that this was due at least in part to increased dephosphorylation of EGFR. The global cell phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity increased some threefold in near senescent cells. An initial survey of EGFR-associated protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) showed that SHP-1 (PTPIC, HCP, SHPTP-1) and PTPIB levels are increased in parallel in these cells. Concomitantly, we also discovered an increase in expression of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha (RPTPalpha). Last, inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases by sodium orthovanadate in near senescent cells resulted in increased EGFR phosphorylation. These data support a model in which, near senescence, dermal fibroblasts become resistant to EGFR-mediated stimuli by a combination of receptor downregulation and increased signal attenuation.