N-SH2 Domain Research Articles

Macrophage NADPH Oxidase Activation and ROS Production Is Positively Regulated By Shp2 Phosphatase Function

Macrophages are professional phagocytic cells, and express pattern recognition receptors such as C-type lectins and integrins for the detection of invading pathogens. Both Dectin-1 (a C-type lectin) and complement receptor 3 (CR3, a β2-integrin) are expressed on innate immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Dectin-1 stimulation by b-glucan-containing particles (zymosan) and CR3 stimulation by serum opsonized zymosan (SOZ) activate Erk- and Akt-dependent signaling resulting in phagocytosis and production of an oxidative burst.Shp2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase encoded by Ptpn11, promotes activation of Ras-Erk and PI3K-Akt signaling, supports hematopoietic development, and is commonly mutated in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). However, no studies have examined the role of Shp2 in Dectin-1- or CR3-stimulated NADPH oxidase activation or ROS production. As activation of Erk and Akt stimulates NADPH oxidase by phosphorylating p47phox, we hypothesized that Shp2 positively regulates ROS production in response to Dectin-1 or CR3 stimulation.Using murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEMs), both zymosan and SOZ exposure induced maximal ROS production 10 minutes post-stimulation, which corresponded to maximal induction of Shp2 phosphorylation (Y580, proposed to promote Shp2 phosphatase activity) and Erk phosphorylation. Using bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs) from mice bearing a conditionally deleted allele of Ptpn11 (Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre+), ROS production was significantly reduced in response to zymosan and SOZ in Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre+ BMMs compared to control Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre- BMMs. Notably, the phagocytic index of the Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre+ and Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre- BMMs was similar, and protein components of the NADPH oxidase complex (p40phox, p67phox, and p47phox) were expressed at similar levels.To define the biochemical role of Shp2 in ROS production, we generated yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged Shp2 constructs bearing mutation of the N-SH2 (R32K) or phosphatase (C463A) domain and retrovirally expressed these constructs in murine BMMs. When subjected to zymosan or SOZ stimulation, mutation of either the N-SH2 or phosphatase domain resulted in reduced ROS production. Using time-lapse confocal videomicroscopy, we found that Shp2-R32K-YFP failed to translocate to the phagosome in SOZ-stimulated BMMs; however, phosphatase dead Shp2-C463A-YFP strongly translocated to the phagosome despite producing lower ROS levels. These findings specifically pointed to Shp2 phosphatase function as crucial in positively regulating NADPH oxidase and ROS production. Accordingly, we reasoned that macrophages expressing JMML-associated gain-of-function (GOF) Shp2 mutants, characterized to have increased phosphatase activity, would produce elevated ROS levels. As anticipated, BMMs retrovirally expressing GOF Shp2-D61Y or GOF Shp2-E76K and PEMs from mice bearing a conditionally induced gain-of-function allele of Ptpn11 (Shp2D61Y/+;Mx1Cre+) similarly produced significantly elevated levels of zymosan- and SOZ-stimulated ROS compared to WT Shp2-expressing BMMs or PEMs, respectively.Given the positive role of Shp2 phosphatase in promoting zymosan- and SOZ-stimulated ROS production, we investigated putative Shp2 substrates in response to zymosan stimulation. SHPS-1 (SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase substrate 1) is a myeloid inhibitory immunoreceptor expressed on macrophages, requires tyrosine phosphorylation to exert its inhibitory effect, and has been shown to be de-phosphorylated by Shp2. Consistent with its potential function in regulation ROS production, SHPS-1 is strongly associated with phagosomes in zymosan-stimulated PEMs. In immunoblot analysis, reduced phospho-SHPS-1 levels kinetically correlated with maximal zymosan-stimulated Shp2 phosphorylation and ROS production, and increased levels of phospho-SHPS-1 were found in BMMs expressing phosphatase dead Shp2-C463A compared to cells expressing WT Shp2. Collectively, these findings indicate that Shp2 phosphatase function positively regulates Dectin-1- and CR3-stimulated NADPH oxidase activation and ROS production in macrophages, and that mechanistically, Shp2 may exert its positive effect by de-phosphorylating and thus negatively regulating the inhibitory function of SHPS-1. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

STAT3 mediates regorafenib-induced apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Here, we aim to investigate the molecular mechanism of regorafenib and verify the potential druggable target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC cell lines (PLC5, HepG2, Hep3B, SK-Hep1, and HA59T) were used to investigate the in vitro effect of regorafenib. Phosphatase activity was analyzed in HCC cells and purified SHP-1 proteins. PLC5-bearing mice were used to test the therapeutic efficiency of 20 and 40 mg/kg/d treatment with regorafenib ([Formula: see text] mice). The clinical relevance of STAT3 signaling was investigated with 142 tumor samples from different patients with HCC. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to compare the baseline characteristics of patients and the expression of p-STAT3. Regorafenib inhibited STAT3-related signaling in a dose-dependent manner and was a more potent inhibitor of STAT3 than sorafenib. Regorafenib increased SHP-1 phosphatase activity in purified SHP-1 protein directly. N-SH2 domain deletion and D61A mutants mimicking open-form SHP-1 partially abolished regorafenib-induced STAT3 inhibition and apoptosis. Importantly, a higher level of expression of STAT3 was found in patients with advanced clinical stages (P = 0.009) and poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.035). Regorafenib induced significant tumor inhibition by relieving the autoinhibited N-SH2 domain of SHP-1 directly and inhibiting p-STAT3 signals. STAT3 may be suitable as a prognostic marker of HCC development, and may be a druggable target for HCC-targeted therapy using regorafenib.

Role of Electrostatic Interactions in Binding of Peptides and Intrinsically Disordered Proteins to Their Folded Targets. 1. NMR and MD Characterization of the Complex between the c-Crk N-SH3 Domain and the Peptide Sos

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) often rely on electrostatic interactions to bind their structured targets. To obtain insight into the mechanism of formation of the electrostatic encounter complex, we investigated the binding of the peptide Sos (PPPVPPRRRR), which serves as a minimal model for an IDP, to the c-Crk N-terminal SH3 domain. Initially, we measured ¹⁵N relaxation rates at two magnetic field strengths and determined the binding shifts for the complex of Sos with wild-type SH3. We have also recorded a 3 μs molecular dynamics (MD) trajectory of this complex using the Amber ff99SB*-ILDN force field. The comparison of the experimental and simulated data shows that MD simulation consistently overestimates the strength of salt bridge interactions at the binding interface. The series of simulations using other advanced force fields also failed to produce any satisfactory results. To address this issue, we have devised an empirical correction to the Amber ff99SB*-ILDN force field whereby the Lennard-Jones equilibrium distance for the nitrogen-oxygen pair across the Arg-to-Asp and Arg-to-Glu salt bridges has been increased by 3%. Implementing this correction resulted in a good agreement between the simulations and the experiment. Adjusting the strength of salt bridge interactions removed a certain amount of strain contained in the original MD model, thus improving the binding of the hydrophobic N-terminal portion of the peptide. The arginine-rich C-terminal portion of the peptide, freed from the effect of the overstabilized salt bridges, was found to interconvert more rapidly between its multiple conformational states. The modified MD protocol has also been successfully used to simulate the entire binding process. In doing so, the peptide was initially placed high above the protein surface. It then arrived at the correct bound pose within ∼2 Å of the crystallographic coordinates. This simulation allowed us to analyze the details of the dynamic binding intermediate, i.e., the electrostatic encounter complex. However, an experimental characterization of this transient, weakly populated state remains out of reach. To overcome this problem, we designed the double mutant of c-Crk N-SH3 in which mutations Y186L and W169F abrogate tight Sos binding and shift the equilibrium toward the intermediate state resembling the electrostatic encounter complex. The results of the combined NMR and MD study of this engineered system will be reported in the next part of this paper.

Abstract LB-326: Structural basis of lipid-binding and regulation in PI3Kα

Abstract PI3Kα is a well-established target for the development of novel cancer therapeutics. Currently, all inhibitors in clinical trials target the highly conserved ATP-binding site, which has made the development of PI3K selective inhibitors difficult, with many inhibitors displaying cross-reactivity against protein kinases. We have used X-ray crystallography and fluorescence quenching studies to characterize the lipid-binding site of PI3Kα and the structural basis of regulation by nSH2. A newly determined p110α/niSH2 crystal structure is the first to reveal the nSH2 domain in complex with wild-type p110α, allowing investigation of the mechanisms of nSH2 regulation. Key interactions between the nSH2 domain and the activation loop suggest a mechanism by which the kinase domain is kept in an inactive conformation until activation by phosphopeptide binding. Key differences in nSH2 domain binding to p110α were identified between the wild-type and oncogenic mutant, p110αH1047R. Increased buried surface area and two unique salt-bridges are suggestive of tighter regulatory control in the wild-type PI3Kα compared with the oncogenic mutant. A second structure reveals the details of PI3K binding to a lipid substrate mimetic, diC4-PIP2. Unexpectedly, we found an additional lipid-binding site, and this striking observation was confirmed by fluorescence quenching experiments. The identification of multiple lipid binding sites provides additional targets that may enable more selective inhibition among the various isoforms, or even between mutant and wild-type forms of PI3Kα. Citation Format: Michelle S. Miller, Oleg Schmidt-Kittler, David M. Bolduc, Evan T. Brower, Daniele Chaves-Moreira, Marc Allaire, Kenneth W. Kinzler, Ian G. Jennings, Philip E. Thompson, Philip A. Cole, L. Mario Amzel, Bert Vogelstein, Sandra B. Gabelli. Structural basis of lipid-binding and regulation in PI3Kα. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-326. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-326

Abstract 2629: Nintedanib (BIBF-1120) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth independent of angiokinase activity

Abstract Background & Aims: Nintedanib, a triple angiokinase inhibitor, is currently being evaluated against advanced HCC in phase I/II clinical trials. Here, we report the underlying molecular mechanism by which nintedanib (BIBF-1120) induces an anti-HCC effect. Methods: HCC cell lines were treated with nintedanib or its derivative (ΔN) and apoptosis, signal transduction, and phosphatase activity were analyzed. Purified SHP-1 proteins or HCC cells expressing deletion N-SH2 domain or D61A point mutants were used to investigate the potential effect of nintedanib on SHP-1. In vivo efficacy was determined in nude mice with HCC subcutaneous xenografts (n ≥ 8 mice). Results: Nintedanib induced anti-proliferation in HCC cell lines by targeting STAT3. Ectopic STAT3 abolished nintedanib-mediated apoptosis in HCC cells. Nintedanib further activated SHP-1 in purified SHP-1 proteins suggesting that nintedanib directly affects SHP-1 for STAT3 inhibition. HCC cells or recombinant SHP-1 proteins expressing deletion of N-SH2 domain or D61A mutants restored the activity of nintedanib suggesting that the auto-inhibition structure of SHP-1 was relieved by nintedanib. To further elucidate whether the effect of nintedanib on SHP-1 is dependent on its angiokinase inhibition activity, we developed a novel kinase-independent derivative of nintedanib, ΔN. Although ΔN only retained the backbone of nintedanib without kinase activity, ΔN still induced substantial anti-HCC activity in vitro and in vivo by targeting STAT3. Conclusions: Nintedanib induced significant anti-HCC activity independent of angiokinase inhibition activity in a preclinical HCC model by relieving autoinhibition of SHP-1. Our findings provide new mechanistic insight into the inhibition of HCC growth by nintedanib. Citation Format: Wei-Tien Tai, Chung-Wai Shiau, Yong-Shi Li, Chun-Wei Chang, Jui-Wen Huang, Ting-Ting Hsueh, Kuen-Feng Chen. Nintedanib (BIBF-1120) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth independent of angiokinase activity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2629. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2629

Structural basis of nSH2 regulation and lipid binding in PI3Kα.

We report two crystal structures of the wild-type phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase α (PI3Kα) heterodimer refined to 2.9 Å and 3.4 Å resolution: the first as the free enzyme, the second in complex with the lipid substrate, diC4-PIP₂, respectively. The first structure shows key interactions of the N-terminal SH2 domain (nSH2) and iSH2 with the activation loop that suggest a mechanism by which the enzyme is inhibited in its basal state. In the second structure, the lipid substrate binds in a positively charged pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site, bordered by the P-loop, the activation loop and the iSH2 domain. An additional lipid-binding site was identified at the interface of the ABD, iSH2 and kinase domains. The ability of PI3Kα to bind an additional PIP₂ molecule was confirmed in vitro by fluorescence quenching experiments. The crystal structures reveal key differences in the way the nSH2 domain interacts with wild-type p110α and with the oncogenic mutant p110αH1047R. Increased buried surface area and two unique salt-bridges observed only in the wild-type structure suggest tighter inhibition in the wild-type PI3Kα than in the oncogenic mutant. These differences may be partially responsible for the increased basal lipid kinase activity and increased membrane binding of the oncogenic mutant.

SHP-1 is a target of regorafenib in colorectal cancer.

Regorafenib is an inhibitor of multiple protein kinases which exerts antitumor and antimetastatic activities in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). SH2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) is reported to have tumor suppressive potential because it acts as a negative regulator of p-STAT3(Tyr705) signaling. However, little is known about the mechanism regarding regorafenib affects SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase activity and leads to apoptosis and tumor suppression in CRC. Here, we found that regorafenib triggered apoptotic cell death and significantly enhanced SHP-1 activity, which dramatically decreased the phosphorylated form of STAT3 at Tyr705 (p-STAT3(Tyr705)). Importantly, regorafenib augmented SHP-1 activity by direct disruption of the association between N-SH2 and catalytic PTP domain of SHP-1. Deletion of the N-SH2 domain (dN1) or point mutation (D61A) of SHP-1 blocked the effect of regorafenib-induced SHP-1 activity, growth inhibition and a decrease of p-STAT3(Tyr705) expression, suggesting that regorafenib triggers a conformational change in SHP-1 by relieving its autoinhibition. In vivo assay showed that regorafenib significantly inhibited xenograft growth and decreased p-STAT3(Tyr705) expression but induced higher SHP-1 activity. Collectively, regorafenib is a novel SHP-1 agonist exerts superior anti-tumor effects by enhancing SHP-1 activity that directly targets p-STAT3(Tyr705). Small molecule-enhancement of SHP-1 activity may be a promising therapeutic approach for CRC treatment.

Molecular basis of gain-of-function LEOPARD syndrome-associated SHP2 mutations.

The Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is a critical signal transducer downstream of growth factors that promotes the activation of the RAS-ERK1/2 cascade. In its basal state, SHP2 exists in an autoinhibited closed conformation because of an intramolecular interaction between its N-SH2 and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) domains. Binding to pTyr ligands present on growth factor receptors and adaptor proteins with its N-SH2 domain localizes SHP2 to its substrates and frees the active site from allosteric inhibition. Germline mutations in SHP2 are known to cause both Noonan syndrome (NS) and LEOPARD syndrome (LS), two clinically similar autosomal dominant developmental disorders. NS-associated SHP2 mutants display elevated phosphatase activity, while LS-associated SHP2 mutants exhibit reduced catalytic activity. A conundrum in how clinically similar diseases result from mutations to SHP2 that have opposite effects on this enzyme’s catalytic functionality exists. Here we report a comprehensive investigation of the kinetic, structural, dynamic, and biochemical signaling properties of the wild type as well as all reported LS-associated SHP2 mutants. The results reveal that LS-causing mutations not only affect SHP2 phosphatase activity but also induce a weakening of the intramolecular interaction between the N-SH2 and PTP domains, leading to mutants that are more readily activated by competing pTyr ligands. Our data also indicate that the residual phosphatase activity associated with the LS SHP2 mutant is required for enhanced ERK1/2 activation. Consequently, catalytically impaired SHP2 mutants could display gain-of-function properties because of their ability to localize to the vicinity of substrates for longer periods of time, thereby affording the opportunity for prolonged substrate turnover and sustained RAS-ERK1/2 activation.

Nintedanib (BIBF-1120) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth independent of angiokinase activity

Nintedanib, a triple angiokinase inhibitor, is currently being evaluated against advanced HCC in phase I/II clinical trials. Here, we report the underlying molecular mechanism by which nintedanib (BIBF-1120) induces an anti-HCC effect. To further elucidate whether the effect of nintedanib on SHP-1 is dependent on its angiokinase inhibition activity, we developed a novel kinase-independent derivative of nintedanib, ΔN. HCC cell lines were treated with nintedanib or its derivative (ΔN) and apoptosis, signal transduction, and phosphatase activity were analyzed. Purified SHP-1 proteins or HCC cells expressing deletion N-SH2 domain or D61A point mutants were used to investigate the potential effect of nintedanib on SHP-1. In vivo efficacy was determined in nude mice with HCC subcutaneous xenografts (n⩾8 mice). Nintedanib induced anti-proliferation in HCC cell lines by targeting STAT3. Ectopic STAT3 abolished nintedanib-mediated apoptosis in HCC cells. Nintedanib further activated SHP-1 in purified SHP-1 proteins suggesting that nintedanib directly affects SHP-1 for STAT3 inhibition. HCC cells or recombinant SHP-1 proteins expressing deletion of N-SH2 domain or D61A mutants restored the activity of nintedanib suggesting that the auto-inhibition structure of SHP-1 was relieved by nintedanib. Although ΔN only retained the backbone of nintedanib without kinase activity, ΔN still induced substantial anti-HCC activity in vitro and in vivo by targeting STAT3. Nintedanib induced significant anti-HCC activity independent of angiokinase inhibition activity in a preclinical HCC model by relieving autoinhibition of SHP-1. Our findings provide new mechanistic insight into the inhibition of HCC growth by nintedanib.

Activation of PI3Kα by physiological effectors and by oncogenic mutations: structural and dynamic effects.

PI3Kα, a heterodimeric lipid kinase, catalyzes the conversion of phosphoinositide-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to phosphoinositide-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), a lipid that recruits to the plasma membrane proteins that regulate signaling cascades that control key cellular processes such as cell proliferation, carbohydrate metabolism, cell motility, and apoptosis. PI3Kα is composed of two subunits, p110α and p85, that are activated by binding to phosphorylated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) or their substrates. The gene coding for p110α, PIK3CA, has been found to be mutated in a large number of tumors; these mutations result in increased PI3Kα kinase activity. The structure of the complex of p110α with a fragment of p85 containing the nSH2 and the iSH2 domains has provided valuable information about the mechanisms underlying the physiological activation of PI3Kα and its pathological activation by oncogenic mutations. This review discusses information derived from x-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations regarding the structural and dynamic effects of mutations in four highly mutated regions of PI3K p110α, as well as the proposed mechanisms by which these mutations increase kinase activity. During the physiological activation of PI3Kα, the phosphorylated tyrosine of RTKs binds to the nSH2 domain of p85, dislodging an inhibitory interaction between the p85 nSH2 and a loop of the helical domain of p110α. Several of the oncogenic mutations in p110α activate the enzyme by weakening this autoinhibitory interaction. These effects involve structural changes as well as changes in the dynamics of the enzyme. One of the most common p110α mutations, H1047R, activates PI3Kα by a different mechanism: it increases the interaction of the enzyme with the membrane, maximizing the access of the PI3Kα to its substrate PIP2, a membrane lipid.

SC-60, a Dimer-Based Sorafenib Derivative, Shows a Better Anti–Hepatocellular Carcinoma Effect than Sorafenib in a Preclinical Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model

Sorafenib is the first approved targeted therapeutic reagent for hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we report that SC-60, a dimer-based sorafenib derivative, overcomes the resistance of sorafenib and shows a better anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect in vitro and in vivo. SC-60 substantially increased SH2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) phosphatase activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and purified SHP-1 proteins, suggesting that SC-60 affects SHP-1 directly. Molecular docking and truncated mutants of SHP-1 further confirmed that SC-60 interferes with the inhibitory N-SH2 domain to relieve the closed catalytic protein tyrosine phosphatase domain of SHP-1. Deletion of N-SH2 domain (dN1) or point mutation (D61A) of SHP-1 abolished the effect of SC-60 on SHP-1, p-STAT3, and apoptosis. Importantly, SC-60 exhibited significant survival benefits compared with sorafenib in a hepatocellular carcinoma orthotopic model via targeting the SHP-1/STAT3-related signaling pathway. In summary, dimer derivative of sorafenib, SC-60, is a SHP-1 agonist and may be a potent reagent for hepatocellular carcinoma-targeted therapy.

Discovery of novel src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 agonists from sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Sorafenib is the first approved targeted therapeutic reagent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report that Src homology region 2 (SH2) domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) is a major target of sorafenib and generates a series of sorafenib derivatives to search for potent SHP-1 agonists that may act as better anti-HCC agents than sorafenib. Sorafenib increases SHP-1 activity by direct interaction and impairs the association between the N-SH2 domain and the catalytic protein tyrosine phosphatase domain of SHP-1. Deletion of the N-SH2 domain (dN1) or point mutation (D61A) of SHP-1 abolished the effect of sorafenib on SHP-1, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), and apoptosis, suggesting that sorafenib may affect SHP-1 by triggering a conformational switch relieving its autoinhibition. Molecular docking of SHP-1/sorafenib complex confirmed our findings in HCC cells. Furthermore, novel sorafenib derivatives SC-43 and SC-40 displayed more potent anti-HCC activity than sorafenib, as measured by enhanced SHP-1 activity, inhibition of p-STAT3, and induction of apoptosis. SC-43 induced substantial apoptosis in sorafenib-resistant cells and showed better survival benefits than sorafenib in orthotopic HCC tumors. In this study, we identified SHP-1 as a major target of sorafenib. SC-43 and SC-40, potent SHP-1 agonists, showed better anti-HCC effects than sorafenib in vitro and in vivo. Further clinical investigation is warranted.

Molecular characterization of Chilean patients with a clinical diagnosis of Noonan syndrome

Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by typical dysmorphic features, cardiac anomalies as well as postnatal growth retardation, and is associated with Ras-MAPK pathway gene mutations. The purpose of this study was to improve the diagnosis of Chilean patients with suspected NS through molecular analysis. We screened 18 Chilean patients with a clinical diagnosis of NS for mutations in PTPN11 by high resolution melting (HRM) and subsequent sequencing. Three PTPN11 missense mutations were detected in 22% of analyzed patients. Of these, two (c.181G>A and c.1510A>G) were previously reported and one was the novel substitution c.328G>A (p.E110K) affecting the linker stretch between the N-SH2 and C-SH2 domains of SHP-2 protein. Molecular studies confirmed the clinical diagnosis of NS in 4 of 18 patients, which provided support for therapeutic decisions and improved genetic counseling for their families.

Conformational change of Sos-derived proline-rich peptide upon binding Grb2 N-terminal SH3 domain probed by NMR

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is a small adapter protein composed of a single SH2 domain flanked by two SH3 domains. The N-terminal SH3 (nSH3) domain of Grb2 binds a proline-rich region present in the guanine nucleotide releasing factor, son of sevenless (Sos). Using NMR relaxation dispersion and chemical shift analysis methods, we investigated the conformational change of the Sos-derived proline-rich peptide during the transition between the free and Grb2 nSH3-bound states. The chemical shift analysis revealed that the peptide does not present a fully random conformation but has a relatively rigid structure. The relaxation dispersion analysis detected conformational exchange of several residues of the peptide upon binding to Grb2 nSH3.

Characterization of SHP-1 protein tyrosine phosphatase transcripts, protein isoforms and phosphatase activity in epithelial cancer cells

We identified 7 SHP-1 (PTPN6) transcripts using epithelial cancer-derived cell lines. Four were shown to utilize the epithelial promoter 1 to transcribe a full-length, a partial (exon 3) or complete (exons 3 & 4) deletion of the N-SH2 domain, and also a non-coding transcript having a stop codon caused by a frame shift due to intron 2 retention. Three additional transcripts were shown to utilize the hematopoietic promoter 2 to transcribe a full-length, a partial (exon 3) deletion of the N-SH2 domain and a non-coding transcript with intron 2 retention. We show that endogenous proteins corresponding to the open-reading-frame (ORF) transcripts are produced. Using GST-fusion proteins we show that each product of the ORF SHP-1 transcripts has phosphatase activity and isoforms with an N-SH2 deletion have increased phosphatase activity and novel protein–protein interactions. This study is the first to document utilization of promoter 2 by SHP-1 transcripts and a noncoding transcript in human epithelial cells.

Abstract 2175: Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 is a major target of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract Sorafenib is the only clinical approved drug in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, we have investigated that Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a kinase-independent target of sorafenib (Journal of Hepatology, 2012). Here, we report that sorafenib relieves the anto-inhibited Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) to increase its phosphatase activity and inhibit p-STAT3-related signaling. Sorafenib increases SHP-1 activity either in HCC cell-based test or purified recombinant SHP-1 protein directly. Deletion of N-SH2 domain (dN1) or point mutation (D61A) of SHP-1 abolished the effect of sorafenib on SHP-1 and phospho-STAT3 (p-STAT3) and apoptosis in HCC, suggesting that sorafenib may affect SHP-1 by switching the transformation from auto-inhibition to the active form. The significant correlation between inhibited SHP-1 and overexpression of p-STAT3 was demonstrated in immunohistochemistry of clinical HCC samples. Novel sorafenib derivatives, SC-43 and SC-40, showed more potent effects than sorafenib on enhancing the activity of SHP-1 activity, inhibiting p-STAT3, induction apoptosis and overcoming sorafenib resistance in HCC. SC-43 showed better survival benefits than sorafenib in orthotopic HCC tumors. SHP-1 represents a major target of sorafenib in HCC. Sorafenib derivatives (SC-43 and SC-40) show better anti-HCC effects than sorafenib by targeting SHP-1. Further clinical investigations may be warranted. Citation Format: Wei-Tien Tai, Chung-Wai Shiau, Pei-Jer Chen, Ann-Lii Cheng, Kuen-Feng Chen. Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 is a major target of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2175. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2175

Structural and Mechanistic Insights into LEOPARD Syndrome-Associated SHP2 Mutations

SHP2 is an allosteric phosphatase essential for growth factor-mediated Ras activation. Germ-line mutations in SHP2 cause clinically similar LEOPARD and Noonan syndromes, two of several autosomal-dominant conditions characterized by gain-of-function mutations in the Ras pathway. Interestingly, Noonan syndrome SHP2 mutants are constitutively active, whereas LEOPARD syndrome SHP2 mutants exhibit reduced phosphatase activity. How do catalytically impaired LEOPARD syndrome mutants engender gain-of-function phenotypes? Our study reveals that LEOPARD syndrome mutations weaken the intramolecular interaction between the N-SH2 and phosphatase domains, leading to a change in SHP2 molecular switching mechanism. Consequently, LEOPARD syndrome SHP2 mutants bind upstream activators preferentially and are hypersensitive to growth factor stimulation. They also stay longer with scaffolding adapters, thus prolonging substrate turnover, which compensates for the reduced phosphatase activity. The study provides a solid framework for understanding how individual SHP2 mutations cause diseases.

Allostery mediates ligand binding to Grb2 adaptor in a mutually exclusive manner

Allostery plays a key role in dictating the stoichiometry and thermodynamics of multi-protein complexes driving a plethora of cellular processes central to health and disease. Herein, using various biophysical tools, we demonstrate that although Sos1 nucleotide exchange factor and Gab1 docking protein recognize two non-overlapping sites within the Grb2 adaptor, allostery promotes the formation of two distinct pools of Grb2-Sos1 and Grb2-Gab1 binary signaling complexes in concert in lieu of a composite Sos1-Grb2-Gab1 ternary complex. Of particular interest is the observation that the binding of Sos1 to the nSH3 domain within Grb2 sterically blocks the binding of Gab1 to the cSH3 domain and vice versa in a mutually exclusive manner. Importantly, the formation of both the Grb2-Sos1 and Grb2-Gab1 binary complexes is governed by a stoichiometry of 2:1, whereby the respective SH3 domains within Grb2 homodimer bind to Sos1 and Gab1 via multivalent interactions. Collectively, our study sheds new light on the role of allostery in mediating cellular signaling machinery.

Somatic Mutations of PIK3R1 Promote Gliomagenesis

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is targeted for frequent alteration in glioblastoma (GBM) and is one of the core GBM pathways defined by The Cancer Genome Atlas. Somatic mutations of PIK3R1 are observed in multiple tumor types, but the tumorigenic activity of these mutations has not been demonstrated in GBM. We show here that somatic mutations in the iSH2 domain of PIK3R1 act as oncogenic driver events. Specifically, introduction of a subset of the mutations identified in human GBM, in the nSH2 and iSH2 domains, increases signaling through the PI3K pathway and promotes tumorigenesis of primary normal human astrocytes in an orthotopic xenograft model. Furthermore, we show that cells that are dependent on mutant P85α-mediated PI3K signaling exhibit increased sensitivity to a small molecule inhibitor of AKT. Together, these results suggest that GBM patients whose tumors carry mutant PIK3R1 alleles may benefit from treatment with inhibitors of AKT.

Structural and Functional Integration of the PLCγ Interaction Domains Critical for Regulatory Mechanisms and Signaling Deregulation

SummaryMultidomain proteins incorporating interaction domains are central to regulation of cellular processes. The elucidation of structural organization and mechanistic insights into many of these proteins, however, remain challenging due to their inherent flexibility. Here, we describe the organization and function of four interaction domains in PLCγ1 using a combination of structural biology and biochemical approaches. Intramolecular interactions within the regulatory region center on the cSH2 domain, the only domain that also interacts with the PLC-core. In the context of fibroblast growth-factor receptor signaling, the coordinated involvement of nSH2 and cSH2 domains mediates efficient phosphorylation of PLCγ1 resulting in the interruption of an autoinhibitory interface by direct competition and, independently, dissociation of PLCγ1 from the receptor. Further structural insights into the autoinhibitory surfaces provide a framework to interpret gain-of-function mutations in PLCγ isoforms linked to immune disorders and illustrate a distinct mechanism for regulation of PLC activity by common interaction domains.