Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B in Hematopoiesis

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) is a ubiquitously expressed cytosolicphosphatase best known for its role in insulin signaling. Despite the fact that it is highlyexpressed in hematopoietic tissues and has been shown to downregulate cytokinereceptor signaling, no physiological role for PTP-1B in immune regulation had beenreported. Our recent results show that the absence of PTP-1B affects murinemyelopoiesis through increased phosphorylation of the CSF-1 receptor tyrosine kinase.Here we further discuss the role of PTP-1B in monocyte/macrophage differentiation aswell as the implications of our findings in the context of PTP-1B inhibitors.     

Activation of the Low Molecular Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase in Keratinocytes Exposed to Hyperosmotic Stress

Herein, we provide new contribution to the mechanisms involved in keratinocytes response to hyperosmotic shock showing, for the first time, the participation of Low Molecular Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (LMWPTP) activity in this event. We reported that sorbitol-induced osmotic stress mediates alterations in the phosphorylation of pivotal cytoskeletal proteins, particularly Src and cofilin. Furthermore, an increase in the expression of the phosphorylated form of LMWPTP, which was followed by an augment in its catalytic activity, was observed. Of particular importance, these responses occurred in an intracellular milieu characterized by elevated levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased expression of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Altogether, our results suggest that hyperosmostic stress provides a favorable cellular environment to the activation of LMWPTP, which is associated with increased expression of antioxidant enzymes, high levels of GSH and inhibition of Src kinase. Finally, the real contribution of LMWPTP in the hyperosmotic stress response of keratinocytes was demonstrated through analysis of the effects of ACP1 gene knockdown in stressed and non-stressed cells. LMWPTP knockdown attenuates the effects of sorbitol induced-stress in HaCaT cells, mainly in the status of Src kinase, Rac and STAT5 phosphorylation and activity. These results describe for the first time the participation of LMWPTP in the dynamics of cytoskeleton rearrangement during exposure of human keratinocytes to hyperosmotic shock, which may contribute to cell death.     

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Regulates Pyruvate Kinase M2 Tyrosine Phosphorylation

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a physiological regulator of glucose homeostasis and adiposity and is a drug target for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Here we identify pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) as a novel PTP1B substrate in adipocytes. PTP1B deficiency leads to increased PKM2 total tyrosine and Tyr¹⁰⁵ phosphorylation in cultured adipocytes and in vivo. Substrate trapping and mutagenesis studies identify PKM2 Tyr-105 and Tyr-148 as key sites that mediate PTP1B-PKM2 interaction. In addition, in vitro analyses illustrate a direct effect of Tyr-105 phosphorylation on PKM2 activity in adipocytes. Importantly, PTP1B pharmacological inhibition increased PKM2 Tyr-105 phosphorylation and decreased PKM2 activity. Moreover, PKM2 Tyr-105 phosphorylation is regulated nutritionally, decreasing in adipose tissue depots after high-fat feeding. Further, decreased PKM2 Tyr-105 phosphorylation correlates with the development of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in rodents, non-human primates, and humans. Together, these findings identify PKM2 as a novel substrate of PTP1B and provide new insights into the regulation of adipose PKM2 activity.     

The Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-1 Regulates Phagolysosome Biogenesis

The process of phagocytosis and phagosome maturation involves the recruitment of effector proteins that participate in phagosome formation and in the acidification and/or fusion with various endocytic vesicles. In the current study, we investigated the role of the Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) in phagolysosome biogenesis. To this end, we used immortalized bone marrow macrophages derived from SHP-1-deficient motheaten mice and their wild-type littermates. We found that SHP-1 is recruited early and remains present on phagosomes for up to 4 h postphagocytosis. Using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot analyses on purified phagosome extracts, we observed an impaired recruitment of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 in SHP-1-deficient macrophages. Moreover, Western blot analyses revealed that whereas the 51-kDa procathepsin D is recruited to phagosomes, it is not processed into the 46-kDa cathepsin D in the absence of SHP-1, suggesting a defect in acidification. Using the lysosomotropic agent LysoTracker as an indicator of phagosomal pH, we obtained evidence that in the absence of SHP-1, phagosome acidification was impaired. Taken together, these results are consistent with a role for SHP-1 in the regulation of signaling or membrane fusion events involved in phagolysosome biogenesis.     

The Mechanism of Allosteric Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B

As the prototypical member of the PTP family, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an attractive target for therapeutic interventions in type 2 diabetes. The extremely conserved catalytic site of PTP1B renders the design of selective PTP1B inhibitors intractable. Although discovered allosteric inhibitors containing a benzofuran sulfonamide scaffold offer fascinating opportunities to overcome selectivity issues, the allosteric inhibitory mechanism of PTP1B has remained elusive. Here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, coupled with a dynamic weighted community analysis, were performed to unveil the potential allosteric signal propagation pathway from the allosteric site to the catalytic site in PTP1B. This result revealed that the allosteric inhibitor compound-3 induces a conformational rearrangement in helix α7, disrupting the triangular interaction among helix α7, helix α3, and loop11. Helix α7 then produces a force, pulling helix α3 outward, and promotes Ser190 to interact with Tyr176. As a result, the deviation of Tyr176 abrogates the hydrophobic interactions with Trp179 and leads to the downward movement of the WPD loop, which forms an H-bond between Asp181 and Glu115. The formation of this H-bond constrains the WPD loop to its open conformation and thus inactivates PTP1B. The discovery of this allosteric mechanism provides an overall view of the regulation of PTP1B, which is an important insight for the design of potent allosteric PTP1B inhibitors.     

Inhibitors of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B from Marine Natural Products

The ocean is a capacious area with the most abundant biological resources on the earth. The particularity of the marine ecological environment (high pressure, high salt, and hypoxia) makes the marine species survival competition fiercely, forcing many marine organisms in the process of life to produce a great deal of secondary metabolites with special structures and biological activities. In this article, 118 natural products which were isolated from four kinds of marine organisms, sponges, algae, soft corals and fungus, showing PTP1B inhibitory activity were summarized from 2010 to 2016, which may become the leading compounds towards treating Diabetes mellitus (DM). What's more, we briefly summarized the structure–activity relationship of PTP1B inhibitors.     

Activation of Hydrogen Peroxide to Peroxytetradecanoic Acid Is Responsible for Potent Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase CD45

Hydrogen peroxide induces oxidation and consequently inactivation of many protein tyrosine phosphatases. It was found that hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of carboxylic acids, was efficiently activated to form even more potent oxidant - peroxy acid. We have found that peroxytetradecanoic acid decreases the enzymatic activity of CD45 phosphatase significantly more than hydrogen peroxide. Our molecular docking computational analysis suggests that peroxytetradecanoic acid has a higher binding affinity to the catalytic center of CD45 than hydrogen peroxide.     

基于天然产物的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶1B 抑制剂的虚拟筛选

蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶1B(protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B,PTP1B)是治疗Ⅱ型糖尿病的靶点之一,筛选PTP1B抑制剂具有十分重要的意义.本文采用分子对接虚拟筛选方法,构建共含有42 296个小分子的天然产物库,分别与PTP1B靶点蛋白进行分子对接,以原配体的结合能量为阈值,经过三轮筛选选取打分值高于阈值的小分子进行药代动力学参数和毒性参数预测,最终筛选出3个PTP1B抑制剂,对苯醌类化合物7、异香豆素类衍生物10和Clavepictine类似物11.结合方式研究表明,3个候选抑制剂类药性良好,均具有较好的PTP1B抑制活性,其中化合物10和11的PTP1B抑制活性未见报道.对化合物10进行体外抑制活性检测,其IC50为(74.58±1.23)μmol/L,可作为潜在Ⅱ型糖尿病治疗药物.     

Neuronal Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Deficiency Results in Inhibition of Hypothalamic AMPK and Isoform-Specific Activation of AMPK in Peripheral Tissues

PTP1B^−/− mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity due to leptin hypersensitivity and consequent increased energy expenditure. We aimed to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying this metabolic state. AMPK is an important mediator of leptin''s metabolic effects. We find that α1 and α2 AMPK activity are elevated and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase activity is decreased in the muscle and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of PTP1B^−/− mice. The effects of PTP1B deficiency on α2, but not α1, AMPK activity in BAT and muscle are neuronally mediated, as they are present in neuron- but not muscle-specific PTP1B^−/− mice. In addition, AMPK activity is decreased in the hypothalamic nuclei of neuronal and whole-body PTP1B^−/− mice, accompanied by alterations in neuropeptide expression that are indicative of enhanced leptin sensitivity. Furthermore, AMPK target genes regulating mitochondrial biogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and energy expenditure are induced with PTP1B inhibition, resulting in increased mitochondrial content in BAT and conversion to a more oxidative muscle fiber type. Thus, neuronal PTP1B inhibition results in decreased hypothalamic AMPK activity, isoform-specific AMPK activation in peripheral tissues, and downstream gene expression changes that promote leanness and increased energy expenditure. Therefore, the mechanism by which PTP1B regulates adiposity and leptin sensitivity likely involves the coordinated regulation of AMPK in hypothalamus and peripheral tissues.Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) belongs to a family of tyrosine phosphatases with diverse roles in eukaryotes (2, 4). PTP1B attenuates insulin signaling by dephosphorylating the insulin receptor (19, 22, 61) and possibly IRS-1 (9, 23) and leptin signaling by dephosphorylating JAK2, which phosphorylates the leptin receptor and associated substrates (10, 45, 67). PTP1B-deficient mice are insulin hypersensitive, lean, and resistant to diet-induced obesity (20, 36) due, at least in part, to increased energy expenditure (36). The leanness can be explained by the absence of PTP1B in neurons, because neuron-specific PTP1B^−/− mice also have reduced body weight and adiposity and increased energy expenditure (6). In contrast, muscle- and liver-specific PTP1B-deficient mice have normal body weight with improved insulin sensitivity, whereas adipose-PTP1B-deficient mice have increased body weight (6, 15, 16). These data suggest that PTP1B in peripheral tissues such as muscle and liver is an important mediator of peripheral insulin sensitivity, whereas PTP1B in the nervous system plays a critical role in regulating energy expenditure and adiposity (6).The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin plays an essential role in regulating energy homeostasis by acting on multiple tissues, most importantly the hypothalamus, to regulate food intake and energy expenditure (1). PTP1B^−/− mice have enhanced basal and leptin-stimulated hypothalamic STAT3 phosphorylation and are hypersensitive to leptin''s effect on food intake and body weight (10, 67). The overexpression of PTP1B in heterologous cells dose dependently reduces the leptin-induced phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 and inhibits leptin-stimulated STAT3-dependent reporter gene activation (10, 35, 39, 67). These and other data established that enhanced leptin sensitivity contributes to the leanness in PTP1B^−/− mice. We sought to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying the altered energy homeostasis in the setting of PTP1B deficiency.AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a major mediator of leptin''s metabolic effects (43, 44). AMPK is a fuel-sensing enzyme complex activated by cellular stresses that increase AMP or deplete ATP, including hypoxia, ischemia, glucose deprivation, uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, exercise, and muscle contraction (66). AMPK also is activated by the antidiabetic drugs metformin (68) and the thiazolidinediones (21). Mechanisms involved in AMPK activation include (i) the binding of AMP to an allosteric site on the γ subunit, which renders the holoenzyme resistant to inactivating serine phosphatases and also may have direct allosteric effects on kinase activity (55), and (ii) phosphorylation by upstream AMPK kinases of the α (catalytic) subunits on Thr172, which is essential for kinase activity (29). Once activated, AMPK phosphorylates multiple downstream substrates, leading to the inhibition of ATP-utilizing pathways, such as fatty acid synthesis, and the activation of ATP-generating pathways, including fatty acid oxidation (34).The phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase (ACC) by AMPK results in the inhibition of ACC activity, decreased malonyl-CoA content, and a subsequent increase in fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle caused by the disinhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (27, 52, 62). The leptin stimulation of muscle fatty acid oxidation is mediated by AMPK (44). AMPK also is an important regulator of muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and function (7, 37, 48, 58, 63). This may, in part, be mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)-coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), because AMPK induces the expression and phosphorylation of PGC-1α, which regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle fiber type (31).In addition to a role for AMPK in leptin action in peripheral tissues, the inhibition of hypothalamic AMPK activity by leptin plays an important role in mediating leptin''s effect on food intake and energy homeostasis (43). This appears to involve neurons that express neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP), since the expression of constitutively active AMPK in the basomedial hypothalamus augments NPY/AgRP expression (43). Furthermore, the deletion of the AMPK α2 catalytic subunit specifically in these neurons results in leanness, whereas deletion in proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing neurons results in mild obesity (13).To determine whether alterations in AMPK contribute to increased energy expenditure and leanness in PTP1B^−/− mice, we investigated the AMPK pathway in peripheral tissues and hypothalamus. We demonstrate that the global absence of PTP1B alters AMPK and downstream biological processes in multiple tissues, and that neuronal PTP1B regulates AMPK activity in peripheral tissues in an isoform-specific manner. Our data establish a novel link between PTP1B and AMPK, two signaling molecules that are critical in the regulation of energy homeostasis.     

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Variant Associated with Fat Distribution and Insulin Metabolism

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPN1) affects the regulation of insulin signaling and energy metabolism. We studied whether polymorphisms in the PTPN1 gene impact body fat distribution in the HERITAGE Family Study cohort in 502 white and 276 black subjects. Insulin sensitivity index, glucose disappearance index, acute insulin response to glucose (AIR_glucose), and the disposition index (DI) were obtained from the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. White subjects with the G82G at the PTPN1 IVS6+G82A polymorphism had higher body fat levels (p = 0.031) and sum of eight skinfolds (p = 0.003) and highest subcutaneous fat on the limbs (p = 0.002). G82A subjects had the lowest AIR_glucose (p = 0.005) and disposition index (p = 0.040). Interaction effects between PTPN1 and leptin receptor gene variants influenced insulin sensitivity index and AIR_glucose (p from 0.006 to 0.010). The variant PTPN1 Pro387Leu was associated with lower fasting insulin level (p = 0.035) and glucose disappearance index (p = 0.038). In summary, PTPN1 IVS6+G82G homozygotes showed higher levels of all measures of adiposity. G82 allele heterozygotes are potentially at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. Gene‐gene interactions between the PTPN1 and leptin receptor genes contributed to the phenotypic variability of insulin sensitivity. The PTPN1 Pro387Leu variant was associated with lower glucose tolerance.     

Characterization of the Activation of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase,Receptor-Type,Z Polypeptide 1 (PTPRZ1) by Hypoxia Inducible Factor-2 Alpha

Background

Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) are the principal means by which cells upregulate genes in response to hypoxia and certain other stresses. There are two major HIFs, HIF-1 and HIF-2. We previously found that certain genes are preferentially activated by HIF-2. One was protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor-type, Z polypeptide 1 (PTPRZ1). PTPRZ1 is overexpressed in a number of tumors and has been implicated in glioblastoma pathogenesis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To understand the preferential activation of PTPRZ1 by HIF-2, we studied the PTPRZ1 promoter in HEK293T cells and Hep3B cells. Through deletion and mutational analysis, we identified the principal hypoxia response element. This element bound to both HIF-1 and HIF-2. We further identified a role for ELK1, an E26 transformation-specific (Ets) factor that can bind to HIF-2α but not HIF-1α, in the HIF-2 responsiveness. Knock-down experiments using siRNA to ELK1 decreased HIF-2 activation by over 50%. Also, a deletion mutation of one of the two Ets binding motifs located near the principal hypoxia response element similarly decreased activation of the PTPRZ1 promoter by HIF-2. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed binding of HIF and ELK1 to the PTPRZ1 promoter region.

Conclusions/Significance

These results identify HIF-binding and Ets-binding motifs on the PTPRZ1 promoter and provide evidence that preferential activation of PTPRZ1 by HIF-2 results at least in part from cooperative binding of HIF-2 and ELK1 to nearby sites on the PTPRZ1 promoter region. These results may have implications in tumor pathogenesis and in understanding neurobiology, and may help inform the development of novel tumor therapy.     

酪氨酸蛋白磷酸酶参与脱氢抗坏血酸的信号途径

研究酪氨酸蛋白磷酸酶（PTPase）的抑制剂氧化苯肿（PAO）、NaVO3和Zn2＋在脱氢抗坏血酸（DHA）调控烟草气孔运动中的作用。结果表明,0．01mmol·L-1PAO、1mmol．L-1NaVO3和2mmol·L-1Zn2＋抑制黑暗和DHA诱导的气孔关闭,而对光诱导的烟草气孔开度的影响不大。据此推测PTPase参与DHA诱导的气孔关闭信号途径。     

阿勒泰黄芪提取物对蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酯酶1B的抑制作用

本文探讨了阿勒泰黄芪不同提取物对蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酯酶1B(PTP1B)的抑制作用.采用分光光度法测定了提取物中的黄酮和皂苷含量;通过体外酶促动力学方法检测了不同提取物对PTP1B的影响,并确定了抑制类型;并采用氧化酶法检测了阿勒泰黄芪提取物对细胞利用葡萄糖能力的作用.结果表明,阿勒泰黄芪8种提取物(E1 ～8)中黄酮含量分别为5.09、10.46、3.58、3.23、53.91、21.77、5.76和7.49 mg/mL,其中E1、E2、E6、E7、E8皂苷含量分别为16.53、27.45、21.90、10.21和8.96 mg/mL;各提取物对PTP1B活性均表现出抑制作用,其中E1、E2、E7、E8的IC50分别为34.8、4.7、7.35和7.15 μg/mL,E1、E7和E8是竞争性抑制,E2是混合型竞争性抑制.E1、E2、E5、E7和E8较明显的提高了CHO-K1细胞对葡萄糖的利用.提示皂苷可能是阿勒泰黄芪抑制PTP1B活性的主要物质,通过PTP1B途径有效了提高细胞利用葡萄糖的能力.本研究为阿勒泰黄芪开发为防治糖尿病及改善胰岛素抵抗的药物或保健品提供实验依据.     

蛋白质酪氨酸磷酸酶1B（PTP1B）与2型糖尿病及肥胖的关系

蛋白质酪氨酸磷酸酶1B（PTP1B）是一种在体内广泛表达的胞内蛋白质酪氨酸磷酸酶,在调节胰岛素敏感性和能量代谢的过程中起着重要作用。通过抑制PTP1B可增加胰岛素和瘦蛋白（leptin）的活性, 为寻找2型糖尿病、肥胖的治疗提供了光明前景。     

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B is Impaired in Skeletal Muscle of Diabetic Psammomys Obesus

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) have been suggested to modulate the insulin receptor signal transduction pathways.We studied PTPases in Psammomys obesus, an animal model of nutritionally induced insulin resistance. No changes in the protein expression level of src homology PTPase 2 (SHP-2) (muscle, liver) or leukocyte antigen receptor (LAR) (liver) were detected. In contrast, the expression level of PTPase 1B (PTP 1B) in the skeletal muscle, but not in liver, was increased by 83% in the diabetic animals, compared with a diabetes-resistant line. However, PTP 1B– specific activity (activity/protein) significantly decreased (50% to 56%) in skeletal muscle of diabetic animals, compared with both the diabetes-resistant line and diabetes-prone animals. In addition, PTP 1B activity was inversely correlated to serum glucose level (r = –.434, P < .02). These findings suggest that PTP 1B, though overexpressed, is not involved in the susceptibility to insulin resistance in Psammomys obesus and is secondarily attenuated by hyperglycemia or other factors in the diabetic milieu.     

Association of Connexin43 with a Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase

Connexin-43(Cx43)-based gap junctional communication is transiently inhibited by certain G protein-coupled receptor agonists, including lysophosphatidic acid, endothelin and thrombin. Our previous studies have implicated the c-Src protein tyrosine kinase in mediating closure of Cx43 based gap junctions. Pervanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, mimics activated Src in inhibiting Cx43 gap junctional communication, apparently by promoting tyrosine phosphorylation of the Cx43 C-terminal tail. However, the identity of the protein tyrosine phosphatase(s) that may normally prevent Src-induced gap junction closure is unknown. Receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases that mediate homotypic cell-cell interaction are attractive candidates. Here we show that receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase μ (RPTPμ) interacts with Cx43 in diverse cell systems. We find that the first catalytic domain of RPTPμ binds to Cx43. Our results support a model in which RPTPμ, or a closely related protein tyrosine phosphatase, interacts with the regulatory C-terminal tail of Cx43 to prevent Src-mediated closure of Cx43 gap junctional channels.     

Association of Connexin43 with a Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase

Connexin-43(Cx43)-based gap junctional communication is transiently inhibited by certain G protein-coupled receptor agonists, including lysophosphatidic acid, endothelin and thrombin. Our previous studies have implicated the c-Src protein tyrosine kinase in mediating closure of Cx43 based gap junctions. Pervanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, mimics activated Src in inhibiting Cx43 gap junctional communication, apparently by promoting tyrosine phosphorylation of the Cx43 C-terminal tail. However, the identity of the protein tyrosine phosphatase(s) that may normally prevent Src-induced gap junction closure is unknown. Receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases that mediate homotypic cell-cell interaction are attractive candidates. Here we show that receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase μ (RPTPμ) interacts with Cx43 in diverse cell systems. We find that the first catalytic domain of RPTPμ binds to Cx43. Our results support a model in which RPTPμ, or a closely related protein tyrosine phosphatase, interacts with the regulatory C-terminal tail of Cx43 to prevent Src-mediated closure of Cx43 gap junctional channels.     

Activation of Retinal Tyrosine Hydroxylase In Vitro by Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase: Characterization and Comparison to Activation In Vivo by Photic Stimulation

Abstract: Tyrosine hydroxylase in rat retina is activated in vivo as a consequence of photic stimulation. Tyrosine hydroxylase in crude extracts of dark-adapted retinas is activated in vitro by incubation under conditions that stimulate protein phosphorylation by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Comparison of the activations of the enzyme by photic stimulation in vivo and protein phosphorylation in vitro demonstrated several similarities. Both treatments decreased the apparent K _m of the enzyme for the synthetic pterin cofactor 6MPH₄. Both treatments also produced the same change in the relationships of tyrosine hydroxylase activity to assay pH. When retinal extracts containing tyrosine hydroxylase activated either in vivo by photic stimulation or in vitro by protein phosphorylation were incubated at 25°C, the enzyme was inactivated in a time-dependent manner. The inactivation of the enzyme following both activation in vivo and activation in vitro was partially inhibited by sodium pyrophosphate, an inhibitor of phosphoprotein phosphatase. In addition to these similarities, the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in vivo by photic stimulation was not additive to the activation in vitro by protein phosphorylation. These data indicate that the mechanism for the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase that occurs as a consequence of light-induced increases of neuronal activity is similar to the mechanism for activation of the enzyme in vitro by protein phosphorylation. This observation suggests that the activation of retinal tyrosine hydroxylase in vivo may be mediated by phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase or some effector molecule associated with the enzyme.