Grb2 Src Homology 2 Domain Research Articles

Structure and Dynamics of Drk-SH2 Domain and Its Site-Specific Interaction with Sev Receptor Tyrosine Kinase.

The Drosophila downstream receptor kinase (Drk), a homologue of human GRB2, participates in the signal transduction from the extracellular to the intracellular environment. Drk receives signals through the interaction of its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain with the phosphorylated tyrosine residue in the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Here, we present the solution NMR structure of the SH2 domain of Drk (Drk-SH2), which was determined in the presence of a phosphotyrosine (pY)-containing peptide derived from a receptor tyrosine kinase, Sevenless (Sev). The solution structure of Drk-SH2 possess a common SH2 domain architecture, consisting of three β strands imposed between two α helices. Additionally, we interpret the site-specific interactions of the Drk-SH2 domain with the pY-containing peptide through NMR titration experiments. The dynamics of Drk-SH2 were also analysed through NMR-relaxation experiments as well as the molecular dynamic simulation. The docking simulations of the pY-containing peptide onto the protein surface of Drk-SH2 provided the orientation of the peptide, which showed a good agreement with the analysis of the SH2 domain of GRB2.

Synthesis and structural characterization of a monocarboxylic inhibitor for GRB2 SH2 domain

A monocarboxylic inhibitor was designed and synthesized to disrupt the protein–protein interaction (PPI) between GRB2 and phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Biochemical characterizations show compound 7 binds with the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of GRB2 and is more potent than EGFR1068 phosphopeptide 14-mer. X-ray crystallographic studies demonstrate compound 7 occupies the GRB2 binding site for phosphotyrosine-containing sequences and reveal key structural features for GRB2–inhibitor binding. This compound with a –1 formal charge offers a new direction for structural optimization to generate cell-permeable inhibitors for this key protein target of the aberrant Ras-MAPK signaling cascade.

Adaptor Protein GRB2 Promotes Src Tyrosine Kinase Activation and Podosomal Organization by Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase ϵ in Osteoclasts

The non-receptor isoform of protein-tyrosine phosphatase ϵ (cyt-PTPe) supports adhesion of bone-resorbing osteoclasts by activating Src downstream of integrins. Loss of cyt-PTPe reduces Src activity in osteoclasts, reduces resorption of mineralized matrix both in vivo and in cell culture, and induces mild osteopetrosis in young female PTPe KO mice. Activation of Src by cyt-PTPe is dependent upon this phosphatase undergoing phosphorylation at its C-terminal Tyr-638 by partially active Src. To understand how cyt-PTPe activates Src, we screened 73 Src homology 2 (SH2) domains for binding to Tyr(P)-638 of cyt-PTPe. The SH2 domain of GRB2 bound Tyr(P)-638 of cyt-PTPe most prominently, whereas the Src SH2 domain did not bind at all, suggesting that GRB2 may link PTPe with downstream molecules. Further studies indicated that GRB2 is required for activation of Src by cyt-PTPe in osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) in culture. Overexpression of GRB2 in OCLs increased activating phosphorylation of Src at Tyr-416 and of cyt-PTPe at Tyr-638; opposite results were obtained when GRB2 expression was reduced by shRNA or by gene inactivation. Phosphorylation of cyt-PTPe at Tyr-683 and its association with GRB2 are integrin-driven processes in OCLs, and cyt-PTPe undergoes autodephosphorylation at Tyr-683, thus limiting Src activation by integrins. Reduced GRB2 expression also reduced the ability of bone marrow precursors to differentiate into OCLs and reduced the fraction of OCLs in which podosomal adhesion structures assume organization typical of active, resorbing cells. We conclude that GRB2 physically links cyt-PTPe with Src and enables cyt-PTPe to activate Src downstream of activated integrins in OCLs.

Interaction of Grb2 SH3 domain with UVRAG in an Alzheimer's disease-like scenario.

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an adaptor protein which participates in trafficking pathways alongside its role in signaling. Proteins important for actin remodeling and cellular compartmentalization contain SRC Homology 3 (SH3) binding motifs that interact with Grb2. While studying the Grb2-amyloid precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain (AICD) interaction in Alzheimer's disease cell line models, it was seen that Grb2 colocalized to compartments that mature into autophagosomes. The entrapping of AICD in the Grb2 vesicles and its clearance via autophagosomes was a survival contrivance on the part of the cell. Here, we report that Grb2, when in excess, interacts with ultraviolet radiation resistance-associated gene protein (UVRAG) under excess conditions of AICD-Grb2 or Grb2. The N-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2 specifically interacts with UVRAG, unlike the C-terminal SH3 domain. This interaction helps to understand the role of Grb2 in the autophagic maturation of vesicles.

High Resolution Crystal Structure of the Grb2 SH2 Domain with a Phosphopeptide Derived from CD28

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains play a critical role in cellular signal transduction. They bind to peptides containing phosphotyrosine (pY) with various specificities that depend on the flanking amino-acid residues. The SH2 domain of growth-factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) specifically recognizes pY-X-N-X, whereas the SH2 domains in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) recognize pY-X-X-M. Binding of the pY site in CD28 (pY-M-N-M) by PI3K and Grb2 through their SH2 domains is a key step that triggers the CD28 signal transduction for T cell activation and differentiation. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of the Grb2 SH2 domain in complex with a pY-containing peptide derived from CD28 at 1.35 Å resolution. The peptide was found to adopt a twisted U-type conformation, similar to, but distinct from type-I β-turn. In all previously reported crystal structures, the peptide bound to the Grb2 SH2 domains adopts a type-I β-turn conformation, except those with a proline residue at the pY+3 position. Molecular modeling also suggests that the same peptide bound to PI3K might adopt a very different conformation.

A High-content Imaging Workflow to Study Grb2 Signaling Complexes by Expression Cloning

Signal transduction by growth factor receptors is essential for cells to maintain proliferation and differentiation and requires tight control. Signal transduction is initiated by binding of an external ligand to a transmembrane receptor and activation of downstream signaling cascades. A key regulator of mitogenic signaling is Grb2, a modular protein composed of an internal SH2 (Src Homology 2) domain flanked by two SH3 domains that lacks enzymatic activity. Grb2 is constitutively associated with the GTPase Son-Of-Sevenless (SOS) via its N-terminal SH3 domain. The SH2 domain of Grb2 binds to growth factor receptors at phosphorylated tyrosine residues thus coupling receptor activation to the SOS-Ras-MAP kinase signaling cascade. In addition, other roles for Grb2 as a positive or negative regulator of signaling and receptor endocytosis have been described. The modular composition of Grb2 suggests that it can dock to a variety of receptors and transduce signals along a multitude of different pathways1-3.Described here is a simple microscopy assay that monitors recruitment of Grb2 to the plasma membrane. It is adapted from an assay that measures changes in sub-cellular localization of green-fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Grb2 in response to a stimulus4-6. Plasma membrane receptors that bind Grb2 such as activated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) recruit GFP-Grb2 to the plasma membrane upon cDNA expression and subsequently relocate to endosomal compartments in the cell. In order to identify in vivo protein complexes of Grb2, this technique can be used to perform a genome-wide high-content screen based on changes in Grb2 sub-cellular localization. The preparation of cDNA expression clones, transfection and image acquisition are described in detail below. Compared to other genomic methods used to identify protein interaction partners, such as yeast-two-hybrid, this technique allows the visualization of protein complexes in mammalian cells at the sub-cellular site of interaction by a simple microscopy-based assay. Hence both qualitative features, such as patterns of localization can be assessed, as well as the quantitative strength of the interaction.

A High-content Imaging Workflow to Study Grb2 Signaling Complexes by Expression Cloning

Signal transduction by growth factor receptors is essential for cells to maintain proliferation and differentiation and requires tight control. Signal transduction is initiated by binding of an external ligand to a transmembrane receptor and activation of downstream signaling cascades. A key regulator of mitogenic signaling is Grb2, a modular protein composed of an internal SH2 (Src Homology 2) domain flanked by two SH3 domains that lacks enzymatic activity. Grb2 is constitutively associated with the GTPase Son-Of-Sevenless (SOS) via its N-terminal SH3 domain. The SH2 domain of Grb2 binds to growth factor receptors at phosphorylated tyrosine residues thus coupling receptor activation to the SOS-Ras-MAP kinase signaling cascade. In addition, other roles for Grb2 as a positive or negative regulator of signaling and receptor endocytosis have been described. The modular composition of Grb2 suggests that it can dock to a variety of receptors and transduce signals along a multitude of different pathways1-3. Described here is a simple microscopy assay that monitors recruitment of Grb2 to the plasma membrane. It is adapted from an assay that measures changes in sub-cellular localization of green-fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Grb2 in response to a stimulus4-6. Plasma membrane receptors that bind Grb2 such as activated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) recruit GFP-Grb2 to the plasma membrane upon cDNA expression and subsequently relocate to endosomal compartments in the cell. In order to identify in vivo protein complexes of Grb2, this technique can be used to perform a genome-wide high-content screen based on changes in Grb2 sub-cellular localization. The preparation of cDNA expression clones, transfection and image acquisition are described in detail below. Compared to other genomic methods used to identify protein interaction partners, such as yeast-two-hybrid, this technique allows the visualization of protein complexes in mammalian cells at the sub-cellular site of interaction by a simple microscopy-based assay. Hence both qualitative features, such as patterns of localization can be assessed, as well as the quantitative strength of the interaction.

HIV-1 Tat binds to SH3 domains: Cellular and viral outcome of Tat/Grb2 interaction

The Src-homology 3 (SH3) domain is one of the most frequent protein recognition modules (PRMs), being represented in signal transduction pathways and in several pathologies such as cancer and AIDS. Grb2 (growth factor receptor-bound protein 2) is an adaptor protein that contains two SH3 domains and is involved in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signal transduction pathways. The HIV-1 transactivator factor Tat is required for viral replication and it has been shown to bind directly or indirectly to several host proteins, deregulating their functions. In this study, we show interaction between the cellular factor Grb2 and the HIV-1 trans-activating protein Tat. The binding is mediated by the proline-rich sequence of Tat and the SH3 domain of Grb2. As the adaptor protein Grb2 participates in a wide variety of signaling pathways, we characterized at least one of the possible downstream effects of the Tat/Grb2 interaction on the well-known IGF-1R/Raf/MAPK cascade. We show that the binding of Tat to Grb2 impairs activation of the Raf/MAPK pathway, while potentiating the PKA/Raf inhibitory pathway. The Tat/Grb2 interaction affects also viral function by inhibiting the Tat-mediated transactivation of HIV-1 LTR and viral replication in infected primary microglia.

Sprouty-related Ena/Vasodilator-stimulated Phosphoprotein Homology 1-Domain-containing Protein (SPRED1), a Tyrosine-Protein Phosphatase Non-receptor Type 11 (SHP2) Substrate in the Ras/Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase (ERK) Pathway

SHP2 is a tyrosine phosphatase involved in the activation of the Ras/ERK signaling pathway downstream of a number of receptor tyrosine kinases. One of the proposed mechanisms involving SHP2 in this context is to dephosphorylate and inactivate inhibitors of the Ras/ERK pathway. Two protein families bearing a unique, common domain, Sprouty and SPRED proteins, are possible candidates because they have been reported to inhibit the Ras/ERK pathway upon FGF activation. We tested whether any of these proteins are likely substrates of SHP2. Our findings indicate that Sprouty2 binds to the C-terminal tail of SHP2, which is an unlikely substrate binding site, whereas SPRED proteins bind to the tyrosine phosphatase domain that is known to be the binding site for its substrates. Overexpressed SHP2 was able to dephosphorylate SPREDs but not Sprouty2. Finally, we found two tyrosine residues on SPRED1 that are required, when phosphorylated, to inhibit Ras/ERK activation and identified Tyr-420 as a specific dephosphorylation target of SHP2. The evidence obtained indicates that SPRED1 is a likely substrate of SHP2, whose tyrosine dephosphorylation is required to attenuate the inhibitory action of SPRED1 in the Ras/ERK pathway.

Involvement of Grb2 Adaptor Protein in Nucleophosmin-Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (NPM-ALK)-mediated Signaling and Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Growth

Most anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) express oncogenic fusion proteins derived from chromosomal translocations or inversions of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. Frequently ALCL carry the t(2;5) translocation, which fuses the ALK gene to the nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene. The transforming activity mediated by NPM-ALK fusion induces different pathways that control proliferation and survival of lymphoma cells. Grb2 is an adaptor protein thought to play an important role in ALK-mediated transformation, but its interaction with NPM-ALK, as well as its function in regulating ALCL signaling pathways and cell growth, has never been elucidated. Here we show that active NPM-ALK, but not a kinase-dead mutant, bound and induced Grb2 phosphorylation in tyrosine 160. An intact SH3 domain at the C terminus of Grb2 was required for Tyr(160) phosphorylation. Furthermore, Grb2 did not bind to a single region but rather to different regions of NPM-ALK, mainly Tyr(152-156), Tyr(567), and a proline-rich region, Pro(415-417). Finally, shRNA knockdown experiments showed that Grb2 regulates primarily the NPM-ALK-mediated phosphorylation of SHP2 and plays a key role in ALCL cell growth.

Selectivity and Mechanism of Action of a Growth Factor Receptor-Bound Protein 2 Src Homology 2 Domain Binding Antagonist

We have shown previously that a potent synthetic antagonist of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) Src homology 2 (SH2) domain binding (1) blocks growth factor stimulated motility, invasion, and angiogenesis in cultured cell models, as well as tumor metastasis in animals. To characterize the selectivity of 1 for the SH2 domain of Grb2 over other proteins containing similar structural binding motifs, we synthesized a biotinylated derivative (3) that retained high affinity Grb2 SH2 domain binding and potent biological activity. To investigate the selectivity of 1 and 3 for Grb2, the biotinylated antagonist 3 was used to immobilize target proteins from cell extracts for subsequent identification by mass spectrometry. Non-specific binding was identified in parallel using a biotinylated analogue that lacked a single critical binding determinant. The mechanism of action of the antagonist was further characterized by immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, and light microscopy. This approach to defining protein binding antagonist selectivity and molecular basis of action should be widely applicable in drug development.

Role of water molecules for binding inhibitors in the SH2 domain of Grb2: A molecular dynamics study

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) plays an essential role in the Ras-MAPK signalling pathway which is an important target for anti-cancer drug design. The precise mechanisms by which effective and selective ligands can bind to the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of Grb2 and interrupt the signalling pathway are not fully understood. We report in this paper the results of molecular dynamics simulations of the Grb2 SH2 domain structure derived from X-ray in water solution and without constraints. The protein was complexed with two reference molecules: one is a potent and extensively studied inhibitor, while the other was shown to have no affinity for the Grb2 SH2 domain, in contradiction with previously performed in vacuo simulations. Analysis of the MD trajectories for the two complexes reveals interesting features which may explain the stability of the complex obtained for the first molecule versus the poor binding of the other ligand. It is shown that water most probably plays a critical role in the stability of these complexes, and it is proposed to consider this solvent behavior in forthcoming structure-based drug design strategies. In this respect structural details are given concerning water molecules reported to be stabilized between the active ligand and the protein receptor. We have also identified which residues from Grb2 SH2 and the two ligands could be involved in destabilizing interactions with bulk solvent. Finally, we propose guidelines for optimizing both ligands by preventing such unwanted effects.

Vav1 Acidic Region Tyrosine 174 Is Required for the Formation of T Cell Receptor-induced Microclusters and Is Essential in T Cell Development and Activation

Vav proteins are multidomain signaling molecules critical for mediating signals downstream of several surface receptors, including the antigen receptors of T and B lymphocytes. The catalytic guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity of the Vav Dbl homology (DH) domain is thought to be controlled by an intramolecular autoinhibitory mechanism involving an N-terminal extension and phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in the acidic region (AC). Here, we report that the sequences surrounding the Vav1 AC: Tyr(142), Tyr(160), and Tyr(174) are evolutionarily conserved, conform to consensus SH2 domain binding motifs, and bind several proteins implicated in TCR signaling, including Lck, PI3K p85alpha, and PLCgamma1, through direct interactions with their SH2 domains. In addition, the AC tyrosines regulate tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav1. We also show that Tyr(174) is required for the maintenance of TCR-signaling microclusters and for normal T cell development and activation. In this regard, our data demonstrate that while Vav1 Tyr(174) is essential for maintaining the inhibitory constraint of the DH domain in both developing and mature T cells, constitutively activated Vav GEF disrupts TCR-signaling microclusters and leads to defective T cell development and proliferation.

Development of Grb2 SH2 Domain Signaling Antagonists: A Potential New Class of Antiproliferative Agents

Aberrant signaling through protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent pathways is associated with several proliferative diseases. Accordingly, PTK inhibitors are being developed as new approaches for the treatment of certain cancers. Growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an important downstream mediator of PTK signaling that serves obligatory roles in many pathogenic processes. One of the primary functions of Grb2 is to bind to specific phosphotyrosyl (pTyr)-containing sequences through its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain. Agents that bind to the Grb2 SH2 domain and prevent its normal function could disrupt associated PTK signaling and serve as alternatives to kinase-directed inhibitors. Starting from the X-ray crystal structure of a lead peptide bound to the Grb2 SH2 domain, this review will summarize important contributions to these efforts. The presentation will be thematically arranged according to the region of peptide modified, proceeding from the N-terminus to the C-terminus, with a special section devoted to aspects of conformational constraint.

Grb2 heterozygosity rescues embryonic lethality but not tumorigenesis in pten +/- mice

PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene implicated in both sporadic cancers and inherited tumor-prone syndromes. Here we show that pten+/- mice display a partially penetrant embryonic lethality. This lethality is associated with defects in both neural and placental development. Notably, this lethality is completely rescued by grb2 haploinsufficiency. In contrast, grb2 heterozygosity did not alter tumorigenesis in either pten+/- or T cell-specific pten-/- mice. grb2-/hypomorph murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) show decreased activation of both PKB and Erk upon stimulation with epidermal growth factor, whereas grb2-/hypomorph; pten+/- MEFs activate PKB but not Erk normally. Similarly, grb2-/hypomorph fibroblasts die in low serum, and this phenotype is rescued by pten haploinsufficiency. Activation of both PKB and Erk as well as survival in low serum-containing media are all rescued by reexpression of Grb2 containing mutations within the N-terminal Src homology 3 (SH3) domain, but not by C-terminal SH3 domain mutants. The N-terminal SH3 domain mutants fail to bind to Sos, whereas the C-terminal SH3 domain mutants fail to bind to Gab1, suggesting that Erk and PKB activation in fibroblasts in response to epidermal growth factor depends on Gab1 or other C-terminal SH3 domain-interacting proteins, but not on Sos. Thus, PTEN/phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase signaling requires Grb2 during both embryonic development and fibroblast survival, but Grb2 heterozygosity does not effect tumorigenesis in pten-deficient mice. In fibroblasts, survival signals emanating from the epidermal growth factor receptor appear to be PKB-dependent, and this activation depends on the C-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2, likely through the interaction of Grb2 with Gab1.

Structural Insight into Modest Binding of a Non-PXXP Ligand to the Signal Transducing Adaptor Molecule-2 Src Homology 3 Domain

Although some exceptional motifs have been identified, it is well known that the PXXP motif is the motif of ligand proteins generally recognized by the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. SH3-ligand interactions are usually weak, with ordinary KD approximately 10 microM. The structural basis for a tight and specific association (KD = 0.24 microm) between Gads SH3 and a novel motif, PX(V/I)(D/N)RXXKP, was revealed in a previous structural analysis of the complex formed between them. In this paper, we report the crystal structure of the signal transducing adaptor molecule-2 (STAM2) SH3 domain in complex with a peptide with a novel motif derived from a ligand protein, UBPY. The derived KD value for this complex is 27 microM. The notable difference in affinity for these parallel complexes may be explained because the STAM2 SH3 structure does not provide a specificity pocket for binding, whereas the Gads SH3 structure does. Instead, the structure of STAM2 SH3 is analogous to that of Grb2 SH3 which, in addition to normal PXXP ligands, has also been shown to moderately recognize the novel motif discussed herein. Thus, the extremely tight interaction observed between Gads SH3 and the novel motif is caused not by an innate ability of the novel motif but rather by an evolutionary change in the Gads SH3 domain. Instead, SH3 domains of STAM2 and Grb2 retain the moderate characteristics of recognizing their ligand proteins like other SH3 domains for appropriate transient interactions between signaling molecules.

Tyrosyl Phosphorylation of Shp2 Is Required for Normal ERK Activation in Response to Some, but Not All, Growth Factors

The protein-tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 is required for normal activation of the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase in multiple receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. In fibroblasts, Shp2 undergoes phosphorylation at two C-terminal tyrosyl residues in response to some (fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)) but not all (epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor) growth factors. Whereas the catalytic activity of Shp2 is required for all Shp2 actions, the effect of tyrosyl phosphorylation on Shp2 function has been controversial. To clarify the role of Shp2 tyrosyl phosphorylation, we infected Shp2-mutant fibroblasts with retroviruses expressing wild type Shp2 or mutants of either (Y542F or Y580F) or both (Y542F,Y580F) C-terminal tyrosines. Compared with wild type cells, ERK activation was decreased in Y542F- or Y580F-infected cells in response to fibroblast growth factor and PDGF but not the epidermal growth factor. Mutation of both phosphorylation sites resulted in a further decrease in growth factor-evoked ERK activation, although not to the level of the vector control. Immunoblot analyses confirm that Tyr-542 and Tyr-580 are the major sites of Shp2 tyrosyl phosphorylation and that Tyr-542 is the major Grb2 binding site. However, studies with antibodies specific for individual Shp2 phosphorylation sites reveal unexpected complexity in the mechanism of Shp2 tyrosyl phosphorylation by different receptor tyrosine kinases. Moreover, because Y580F mutants retain nearly wild type Grb2-binding ability, yet exhibit defective PDGF-evoked ERK activation, our results show that the association of Grb2 with Shp2 is not sufficient for promoting full ERK activation in response to these growth factors, thereby arguing strongly against the "Grb2-adapter" model of Shp2 action.

Synthesis of a phosphotyrosyl analogue having χ1, χ2 and φ angles constrained to values observed for an SH2 domain-bound phosphotyrosyl residue

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains provide connectivity in protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent signaling through their high affinity association with phosphotyrosyl (pTyr)-containing peptide sequences. Because recognition of pTyr residues is central to SH2 domain-binding affinity, design of pTyr-mimicking residues has been one component of SH2 domain signaling antagonist development. Reported herein is the synthesis of (±)-( rel-1 R,2 R,5 S)-3-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-8- O-phosphoryl-1,5-methano-3-benzazocine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester ( 3c ) as a monomeric pTyr-mimicking analogue that constrains three torsion angles ( χ 1=168°; χ 2=−85°; φ 1=−113°) to values approximating those observed for a pTyr residue bound to the Grb2 SH2 domain ( χ 1=182°; χ 2=−89°; φ 1=−132°). Compound 3c differs from our previously reported analogue, (±)-( rel-1 R,2 R,5 S)-3-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-1-methyl-1,5-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol, in lacking a methyl substituent at the bridgehead 1-position. Molecular modeling studies had indicated that this methyl group could potentially hinder SH2 domain binding. Synthesis of the desmethyl derivative was achieved by formation of the methanobenzazocine ring system using an intramolecular electrophilic cyclization that proceeds through an activated acyliminium intermediate. Importantly, the correct relative (2 R) stereochemistry at the ‘α-carboxyl’-bearing carbon is obtained through base-catalyzed equilibration of a (2 S/2 R) diastereomeric mixture that results from intramolecular ring closure. Comparison of Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinity of 3c (IC 50=1167 μM) with conformationally flexible phosphorylated (±)- N-acetyl-tyrosine methyl ester ( 15 ; IC 50=1469 μM) revealed no apparent enhancement in affinity. This apparent ineffectiveness of ‘local conformational constraint’ on SH2 domain-binding affinity of the monomeric pTyr mimetic is consistent with previous reports obtained by conformationally constraining pTyr-mimicking residues that were contained within peptide platforms. Although not providing high binding affinity in its current form, the novel 1,5-methano-3-benzazocine ring system may afford a novel platform for further elaboration and development of small molecule SH2 domain signaling antagonists.

Inhibitory effects of rosmarinic acid on Lck SH2 domain binding to a synthetic phosphopeptide.

In the course of screening inhibitors from the methanol (MeOH) extracts of 168 medicinal plants against lymphocyte cell-specific kinase (Lck) Src -homology 2 (SH2) binding to a synthetic phosphotyrosine-containing peptide (phosphopeptide), we isolated rosmarinic acid from the MeOH extract of Prunella vulgaris, which showed specific inhibitory activity. The IC 50 value for Lck SH2 binding to phosphopeptide (SGSGEEPQpYEEIPI) of hamster polyomavirus middle-sized tumor (hmT pY324) was 7 microM. However, even at concentrations of 0.1 to 1000 microM, no significant inhibitions were observed against other SH2 domains binding such as the growth factor receptor binding protein 2 (Grb2) SH2 domain to phosphopeptide of Shc and phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1) SH2 domain to translational elongation factor 1alpha (EF1alpha) C-terminal. Rosmarinic acid inhibited interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression by 50 % at a concentration of 8 microM in Jurkat cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD4 antibodies. FK506 and cyclosporin A (CsA) employed as positive controls showed less than 30 % inhibition at the same concentration. In addition, rosmarinic acid inhibited the intracellular [Ca 2+] i increase in Jurkat cells after T cell activation in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 1.4 to 140 microM of rosmarinic acid, which is one of the earliest responses of antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and of the upstream pathway of IL-2 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that rosmarinic acid has the potential to specifically inhibit Lck SH2 domain binding to its cognate ligand, including ZAP-70, Cbl, HS-1, and PLCgamma1, and Lck-dependent Ca 2+ signaling pathway of its downstream effector and finally to modulate IL-2 gene expression after T cell activation.

Grb2 SH2 domain-binding peptide analogs as potential anticancer agents.

The growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) plays an important role in the Ras signaling pathway. Several proteins were found to be overexpressed by oncogenes in the Ras signaling pathway, rendering Grb2 a potential target for the design of antitumor agents. Blocking the interaction between the phosphotyrosine-containing activated receptor and the Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain of Grb2 thus constitutes an important strategy for the development of potential anticancer agents. X-ray, NMR structural investigations, and molecular modeling studies have provided the target structure of Grb2 SH2 domain-alone or complexed with a phosphotyrosine-containing peptide-which is useful for the structure-based design of peptides or peptidomimetics with high affinity for the Grb2 SH2 domain. We review here the variety of approaches to Grb2 SH2 pepide inhibitors developed with the aim of interrupting Grb2 recognition. Inhibitory effects of peptide analogs on the Grb2 SH2 domain and their binding affinities for Grb2 SH2 were determined by ELISA, cell-based assays, or Surface Plasman Resonance (SPR) technology. Results of theses studies provide important information for further modifications of lead peptides, and should lead to the discovery of potent peptides as anticancer agents.