SH3 Binding Sites Research Articles

Inhibition of p130cas tyrosine phosphorylation by calyculin A.

P130cas is a dominant tyrosine phosphorylated protein in v-src-and v-crk-transformed cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation also occurs in response to integrin-mediated cell adhesion. P130cas has a unique structure with multiple SH2 and SH3 binding sites, which makes it a candidate docking protein that might be involved in several signal transduction pathways. Little is known about how p130cas itself is regulated. In this report we present evidence that tyrosine phosphorylated p130cas was rapidly dephosphorylated in several lymphatic cell lines after treatment with calyculin A, a serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor. A similar result was obtained with okadaic acid, but higher concentrations and longer incubation times were required. Constitutive phosphorylation as well as receptor-cross linking-induced p130cas phosphorylation was inhibited. Furthermore, the p130cas-Crk association was disrupted by treatment of cells with calyculin A. However, the p130cas-Lyn association was not affected. These results suggest that calyculin A specifically affects SH2 domain-mediated protein-protein interactions and that Lyn does not bind to a susceptible SH2 domain. Furthermore, the data presented is consistent with the existence of a calyculin A-sensitive phosphatase or tyrosine kinase that may be a critical regulator of p130cas tyrosine phosphorylation.

Molecular Cloning of a T Cell-specific Adapter Protein (TSAd) Containing an Src Homology (SH) 2 Domain and Putative SH3 and Phosphotyrosine Binding Sites

Adapter proteins link catalytic signaling proteins to cell surface receptors or downstream effector proteins. In this paper, we present the cDNA sequence F2771, isolated from an activated CD8+ T cell cDNA library. The F2771 cDNA encodes a novel putative adapter protein. The predicted amino acid sequence includes an SH2 domain as well as putative SH3 and phosphotyrosine binding interaction motifs, but lacks any known catalytic domains. The expression of the gene is limited to tissues of the immune system and, in particular, activated T cells. The protein expressed by F2771 cDNA in transfected COS cells is localized in the cytoplasm. A polyclonal antiserum raised against an F2771-encoded peptide reacts with a tyrosine-phosphorylated 52-kDa protein expressed in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The gene is localized to chromosome 1q21, a region often found to be aberrant in lymphomas. The T cell-specific expression and the rapid induction of mRNA expression upon receptor binding, as well as the lack of catalytic domains in the presence of protein interaction domains, indicate that the F2771 gene encodes a novel T cell-specific adapter protein (TSAd) involved in the control of T cell activation.

SH2- and SH3-mediated Interactions between Focal Adhesion Kinase and Src

Intramolecular SH2 and SH3 interactions mediate enzymatic repression of the Src kinases. One mechanism of activation is disruption of these interactions by the formation of higher affinity SH2 and SH3 interactions with specific ligands. We show that a consensus Src SH3-binding site residing upstream of the Src SH2-binding site in FAK can function as a ligand for the Src SH3 domain. Surface plasmon resonance experiments indicate that a FAK peptide containing both the Src SH2- and SH3-binding sites exhibits increased affinity for Src. Furthermore, the presence of both sites in vitro more potently activates c-Src. A FAK mutant (FAKPro-2) with substitutions destroying the SH3-binding site shows reduced binding to Src in vivo. This mutation also reduces Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation on the mutant itself and downstream substrates, such as paxillin. These observations suggest that an SH3-mediated interaction between Src-like kinases and FAK may be important for complex formation and downstream signaling in vivo.

SH3 domain-dependent interactions of endophilin with amphiphysin

Amphiphysin I and II are nerve terminal-enriched proteins thought to function in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. In addition to a C-terminal SH3 domain, the proteins contain a highly conserved putative SH3 binding site and numerous consensus phosphorylation sites. We now demonstrate that amphiphysin I but not amphiphysin II is a phosphoprotein which undergoes dephosphorylation during nerve terminal depolarization. Further, both amphiphysin I and II interact with the SH3 domain of endophilin, a synaptically enriched protein implicated in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. The interaction is direct and mediated through a 43 amino acid region of amphiphysin containing the putative SH3 binding site. These data further support a role for amphiphysin I, II and endophilin in synaptic vesicle endocytosis.

A giant protein that stimulates guanine nucleotide exchange on ARF1 and Rab proteins forms a cytosolic ternary complex with clathrin and Hsp70.

We have recently identified an unusually large human protein that stimulates guanine nucleotide exchange on ARF1 and Rab proteins (EMBO J 15: 4262-4273, 1996). This protein, designated p532 based on its predicted molecular weight (EMBO J 15: 5738, 1996), contains multiple structural domains including two regions of seven internal repeats highly related to the cell cycle regulator RCC1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the small GTP-binding protein Ran, seven beta-repeat domains characteristic of the beta subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins, three putative SH3 binding sites, a putative leucine-zipper and a carboxy-terminal HECT domain characteristic of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases. Some of these domains are known to be involved in protein-protein interactions, suggesting the existence of p532-interacting proteins. To identify some of these proteins, we used the carboxy-terminal RCC1-like domain (RLD) of p532 in the yeast two-hybrid system. We report here the isolation of a clone that encodes the last 654 amino acid residues of the clathrin heavy chain. This interaction involves amino acid residues 1315-1557 of the clathrin heavy chain and the carboxy, but not the amino-terminal RLD of p532. p532 has been located in the cytosolic fraction as well as in the Golgi apparatus. The interaction between p532 and clathrin only occurs in the cytosol and is mediated by the formation of an ATP-dependent ternary complex with the heat shock protein, Hsp70. These observations suggest that p532 is involved in membrane transport processes.

Bovine activin receptor type IIB messenger ribonucleic acid displays alternative splicing involving a sequence homologous to Src-homology 3 domain binding sites.

Activins are implicated in a variety of biological effects, particularly in reproductive processes such as embryonic development and folliculogenesis. Breakthroughs in the elucidation of the activin signal transduction mechanism were achieved with the characterization of the activin receptors, and the recent identification of cytoplasmic factors apparently involved in the signaling process. The present studies were undertaken to further analyze the activin signaling pathway. The complementary DNA coding for the bovine activin receptor type IIB (bActRIIB) was amplified by RT-PCR from corpus luteum and pituitary RNA, and cloned to characterize its role in activin signal transduction. Two complementary DNA isoforms (bActRIIB2 and bActRIIB5) were detected, coding for 512 amino acids and 498 amino acids, respectively. The shortest isoform lacked a sequence encoding a 14-amino acid stretch very rich in proline residues, located between the transmembrane region and the intracellular kinase domain. Intron sequencing and ribonuclease protection assay demonstrated that alternative splicing is responsible for the generation of these bActRIIB isoforms. This alternative splicing event is unique in that it has not been observed in other species, including the mouse, in which extensive alternative splicing of the ActRIIB messenger RNA is described. Comparison of this alternative sequence with other known proline-rich sequences showed that it has characteristics of a Src-homology 3 domain (SH3) binding site. Coprecipitation experiments have identified two proteins of 69 kDa and 71 kDa from an uterine endometrial cell line, specifically interacting with the short bActRIIB alternative proline-rich sequence. These results suggest that bActRIIB could have a protein-protein interaction, through its putative SH3 binding site, with at least two intracellular SH3-containing proteins.

Positive and negative tissue-specific signaling by a nematode epidermal growth factor receptor.

The major determinants of receptor tissue tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling specificity have been proposed to be Src homology 2 (SH2) binding sites, phosphotyrosine-containing oligopeptides in the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor. The Caenorhabditis elegans epidermal growth factor receptor homologue LET-23 has multiple functions during development and has eight potential SH2-binding sites in a region carboxyl terminal to its kinase domain. By analyzing transgenic nematodes for three distinct LET-23 functions, we show that six of eight potential sites function in vivo and that they are required for most, but not all, of LET-23 activity. A single site is necessary and sufficient to promote wild-type fertility. Three other sites activate the RAS pathway and are involved only in viability and vulval differentiation. A fifth site is promiscuous and can mediate all three LET-23 functions. An additional site mediates tissue-specific negative regulation. Putative SH2 binding sites are thus key effectors of both cell-specific and negative regulation in an intact organism. We suggest two distinct mechanisms for tissue-specific RTK-mediated signaling. A positive mechanism would promote RTK function through effectors present only in certain cell types. A negative mechanism would inhibit RTK function through tissue-specific negative regulators.

Tandem SH2 binding sites mediate the RasGAP-RhoGAP interaction: a conformational mechanism for SH3 domain regulation.

Many cellular signaling proteins contain SH3 (Src homology 3) domains that mediate protein interactions via specific proline-containing peptides. Unlike SH2 domains, whose interactions with tyrosine-containing peptides are promoted by phosphorylation of the SH2 binding site, the regulatory mechanism for SH3 interactions is unclear. p120 RasGAP (GTPase-activating protein), which contains an SH3 domain flanked by two SH2 domains, forms an abundant SH2-mediated complex with p190 RhoGAP in cells expressing activated tyrosine kinases. We have identified two closely linked tyrosine-containing peptides in p190 that bind simultaneously to the RasGAP SH2 domains upon p190 phosphorylation. This interaction is expected to bring the two SH2 domains into close proximity. Consequently, RasGAP undergoes a conformational change that results in a 100-fold increase in the accessibility of the target binding surface of its SH3 domain. These results indicate that the tandem arrangement of SH2 and SH3 domains found in a variety of cellular signaling proteins can provide a conformational mechanism for regulating SH3-dependent interactions through tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, it appears that the role of p190 in the RasGAP signaling complex is to promote additional protein interactions with RasGAP via its SH3 domain.

Identification of the Abl- and rasGAP-Associated 62 kDa Protein as a Docking Protein, Dok

A 62 kDa protein is highly phosphorylated in many cells containing activated tyrosine kinases. This protein, characterized mainly by its avid association with rasGAP, has proved elusive. Anti-phosphotyrosine antibody was used to purify p62. From peptide sequence, molecular cloning revealed a cDNA encoding a novel protein, p62dok, with little homology to others but with a prominent set of tyrosines and nearby sequences suggestive of SH2 binding sites. In cells, v-Abl tyrosine kinase binds and strongly phosphorylates p62dok, which then binds rasGAP. A monoclonal antibody, 2C4, to the rasGAP-associated p62 reacts with p62dok. Thus, p62dok appears to be the long-sought major substrate of many tyrosine kinases.

The SH3 domain of Src tyrosyl protein kinase interacts with the N-terminal splice region of the PDE4A cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase RPDE-6 (RNPDE4A5).

The PDE4A (type IV) cAMP-specific, rolipram-inhibited phosphodiesterase RPDE-6 (RNPDE4A5), when transiently expressed in COS7 cells, could be complexed with the v-Src-SH3 domain expressed as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. RPDE-6 did not interact with GST itself. This complex was not disrupted by treatment with high NaCl concentration together with Triton X-100. Interaction was apparently determined by the N-terminal splice region of RPDE-6, as the PDE4A splice variant RPDE-39, which differs from RPDE-6 at the extreme N-terminus, failed to associate with v-Src-SH3; met26RD1 (where RD1 is rat 'dunc-like' PDE), which has the N-terminal splice region deleted, failed to associate with v-Src-SH3, and the association of RPDE-6 and v-Src-SH3 was blocked by a fusion protein formed from the N-terminal splice region. RDPE-6 showed binding to GST fusion proteins of both the intact Src kinase and an SH2-SH3 construct but did not bind to the Src-SH2 domain or to the adaptor protein Grb-2. RPDE-6 could be co-immunoprecipitated from cytosol extracts of transfected cells by using anti-Src antiserum. RPDE-6 exhibited selectivity in binding to the SH3 domains of c-Abl, Crk, Csk, Lck, Lyn, Fyn and v-Src, with binding to the SH3 regions of the Src-related tyrosyl kinases Lyn and Fyn being the most effective. The binding of RPDE-6 to the SH3 domains of Crk, Csk and Lck led to a marked reduction in PDE activity, but no change was apparent in complexes with other species. Endogenous RPDE-6 from brain, but not endogenous RPDE-39 from testis, bound to the Src-SH3 domain. We suggest that the PDE4A splice variant RPDE-6 has a propensity for interaction with selective SH3 domains, in particular those from Src and the Src-related tyrosyl kinases Lyn and Fyn. This interaction seems to be governed by alternative splicing of the PDE4A gene, because RPDE-39, a splice variant that lacks the proline-rich N-terminal splice region of RPDE-6, does not interact with these SH3 domains. It is proposed that the binding site on RPDE-6 for SH3 domains lies within the unique first 102 residues of its N-terminal splice domain, where two motifs representing Class I SH3 binding sites with selectivity for Src kinase SH3 domains can be identified and one motif for a putative Class II SH3 binding site.

P619, a giant protein related to the chromosome condensation regulator RCC1, stimulates guanine nucleotide exchange on ARF1 and Rab proteins.

We report the identification of a novel human gene, designated p619, that encodes a polypeptide of 4861 amino acid residues, one of the largest human proteins known to date. The p619 protein contains two regions of seven internal repeats highly related to the cell cycle regulator RCC1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the small GTP binding protein, Ran. In addition, p619 possesses seven beta-repeat domains characteristic of the beta-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins, three putative SH3 binding sites, seven polar amino acid-rich regions, a putative leucine zipper and a carboxy-terminal HECT domain characteristic of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases. p619 is expressed ubiquitously in mouse and human tissues and overexpressed in several human tumor cell lines. Subcellular localization studies indicate that p619 is located in the cytosol and in the Golgi apparatus. Localization of p619 in the Golgi is altered by Brefeldin A. The carboxy-terminal RCC1-like domain of p619 interacts specifically with myristoylated ARF1, a small GTP binding protein also located in the Golgi. Moreover, the second RCC1-like motif located at the amino-terminus of p619 stimulates guanine nucleotide exchange on ARF1 and on members of the related Rab proteins, but not on other small GTP binding proteins such as Ran or R-Ras2/TC21. These observations suggest that p619 is a Brefeldin A-sensitive Golgi protein that functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF1 and, possibly, for members of the Rab family of proteins.

ATP and SH3 Binding Sites in the Protein Kinase of the Large Subunit of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 of Ribonucleotide Reductase (ICP10)

The large subunit of herpes simplex virus type 2 ribonucleotide reductase (ICP10) is a multifunctional protein. It consists of a ribonucleotide reductase and a serine/threonine protein kinase (PK) domain, which has three proline-rich motifs consistent with SH3-binding sites at positions 140, 149, and 396. We used site-directed mutagenesis to identify amino acids required for kinase activity and interaction with signaling proteins. Mutation of Lys176 or Lys259 reduced PK activity (5-8-fold) and binding of the 14C-labeled ATP analog rho-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl 5'-adenosine (FSBA) but did not abrogate them. Enzymatic activity and FSBA binding were abrogated by mutation of both Lys residues, suggesting that either one can bind ATP. Mutation of Glu209 (PK catalytic motif III) virtually abrogated kinase activity in the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+ ions, suggesting that Glu209 functions in ion-dependent PK activity. ICP10 bound the adaptor protein Grb2 in vitro. Mutation of the ICP10 proline-rich motifs at positions 396 and 149 reduced Grb2 binding 20- and 2-fold, respectively. Binding was abrogated by mutation of both motifs. Grb2 binding to wild type ICP10 was competed by a peptide for the Grb2 C-terminal SH3 motif, indicating that it involves the Grb2 C-terminal SH3.

Coordinate activation of c-Src by SH3- and SH2-binding sites on a novel p130Cas-related protein, Sin.

To understand how protein-protein interactions mediated by the Src-SH3 domain affect c-Src signaling, we screened for proteins that interact with the Src-SH3. We found a novel protein, Sin (Src interacting or signal integrating protein), that binds to Src-SH3 with high affinity, contains numerous tyrosine residues in configurations suggestive of SH2-binding sites, and is related to the v-Src substrate p130Cas. In cotransfection assays, a small fragment of Sin retaining the Src-SH3-binding site and one tyrosine-containing motif induced c-Src activation as measured by a transcriptional reporter. Phosphorylation of the peptide on tyrosine by c-Src, as a consequence of Src-SH3 binding, was necessary for its stable interaction with c-Src in vivo and for transcriptional activation. Phosphorylation of multiple tyrosine-containing motifs found on Sin correlated with c-Crk and cellular phosphoprotein binding to Sin as well as increased c-Src activity. These data suggest that (1) SH2 and SH3 ligand sites on Sin cooperatively activate the signaling potential of c-Src, (2) Sin acts as both an activator and a substrate for c-Src, and (3) phosphorylated Sin may serve as a signaling effector molecule for Src by binding to multiple cellular proteins.

Interaction between the Amino-terminal SH3 Domain of CRK and Its Natural Target Proteins

CRK is a human homolog of chichen v-Crk, which is an adaptor protein. The SH2 domain of CRK binds to several tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, including the epidermal growth factor receptor, p130(Cas), Shc, and paxillin. The SH3 domain, in turn, binds to cytosolic proteins of 135-145, 160, 180, and 220 kDa. We screened expression libraries by Far Western blotting, using CRK SH3 as a probe, and identified partial cDNA sequences of four distinct proteins, including C3G, DOCK180, EPS15, and clone ST12. The consensus sequence of the CRK SH3 binding sites as deduced from their amino acid sequences was Pro+3-Pro+2-X+1-Leu0-Pro-1-X-2-Lys-3. The interaction of the CRK SH3 domain with the DOCK180 peptide was examined with an optical biosensor, based on the principles of surface plasmon resonance. A low dissociation constant of the order of 10(-7) resulted from a high association rate constant (kassoc = 3 x 10(4)) and low dissociation rate constant (kdiss = 3 x 10(-3)). All CRK-binding proteins except clone ST12 also bound to another adaptor protein, Grb2. Mutational analysis revealed that glycine at position +1 of ST12 inhibited the binding to Grb2 while retaining the high affinity binding to CRK SH3. The result suggests that the amino acid at position +1 also contributes to the high affinity binding of the peptides to the SH3 domain of Grb2, but not to that of CRK.

P150Ship, a signal transduction molecule with inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase activity.

The production, survival, and function of monocytes and macrophages is regulated by the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF or CSF-1) through its tyrosine kinase receptor Fms. Binding of M-CSF to Fms induces the tyrosine phosphorylation and association of a 150-kD protein with the phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain of Shc. We have cloned p150 using a modified yeast two-hybrid screen. p150 contains one SH2 domain, two potential PTB-binding sites, an ATP/GTP-binding domain, several potential SH3-binding sites, and a domain with homology to inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatases. p150 antibodies detect this protein in FDC-P1 myeloid cells, but the same protein is not detectable in fibroblasts. The antibodies immunoprecipitate a 150-kD protein from quiescent or M-CSF-stimulated FDC-P1 cells that hydrolyzes PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, to PtdIns(3,4)P2. This activity is observed in Shc immunoprecipitates only after M-CSF stimulation. Retroviral expression of p15O in FD-Fms cells results in strong inhibition of cell growth in M-CSF and a lesser inhibition in IL-3. Ectopic expression of p150 in fibroblasts does not inhibit growth. This novel protein, p150(ship) (SH2-containing inositol phosphatase), identifies a component of a new growth factor-receptor signaling pathway in hematopoietic cells.

Direct Binding of C-terminal Region of p130 to SH2 and SH3 Domains of Src Kinase

p130Cas is a major tyrosine-phosphorylated protein that tightly binds v-Crk in v-crk-transformed cells and v-Src in v-src-transformed cells. The "substrate domain" of p130Cas contains 15 possible Src homology (SH) 2-binding motifs, most of which conform to the binding motif for the Crk SH2 domain. Another region near its C terminus contains possible binding motifs for the Src SH2 domain and proline-rich sequences that are candidates for SH3-binding sites. Using GST fusion proteins, we revealed that both SH2 and SH3 domains of Src bind p130Cas, whereas v-Crk binds p130Cas through its SH2 domain. We located the binding site of p130Cas for the Src SH3 domain at the sequence RPLPSPP in the region near its C terminus. Mutations within this sequence or at Tyr762 of p130Cas caused a significant reduction in the association of p130Cas with Src, and no association was detected when both of them were deleted. The kinase activity in v-Crk-transformed cells was also associated with p130Cas through this region. On the other hand, the deletion of the substrate domain abolished the binding with v-Crk. The association through the C-terminal region of p130Cas with Src kinase may facilitate effective hyperphosphorylation of tyrosine residues in the substrate domain of p130Cas, resulting in the binding of SH2-containing molecules to p130Cas.

Thermodynamic Studies of SHC Phosphotyrosine Interaction Domain Recognition of the NPXpY Motif

The N-terminal 200 amino acids of SHC constitute a unique phosphotyrosine (Tyr(P)) interaction (PI) domain that shows no significant sequence similarity to the other Tyr(P)-recognizing module, the SH2 domain. We describe the thermodynamic parameters characterizing PI domain binding to various tyrosyl phosphopeptides, using isothermal titration calorimetry. The PI domain forms 1:1 complexes of similar affinity with a 12-mer peptide (ISLDNPDpYQQDF) derived from Tyr-1148 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (KD = 28 nm) and an 18-mer (LQGHIIENPQpYFSDACVH) derived from Tyr-490 of Trk (KD = 42 nM). Binding of the EGFR-derived peptide was largely enthalpy-driven at 25 degrees C, while Trk490 peptide binding was entropy-driven. Based on the change in heat capacity upon binding, approximately 700 A2 of nonpolar surface was estimated to be buried upon interaction. Alteration of the Asn or Pro to Ala in the NPXpY motif of the EGFR Tyr-1148 peptide increased the KD of PI domain interactions to 238 and 370 nM, respectively. Alteration of a Leu at position -5 (with respect to Tyr(P)) in the EGFR peptide to Gly also reduced the binding affinity (KD = 580 nM). It is proposed that the PI domain recognizes the beta1 turn that is found in NPXpY-containing peptides and also interacts with a larger segment of the peptide than seen for SH2 domains.

Evolution of thesrc-related protein tyrosine kinases

A phylogenetic analysis of src-related protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) showed that one group of these genes is quite ancient in the animals, its divergence predating the divergence of the diploblast and triploblast phyla. Three other major groupings of genes were found to predate the divergence of protostome and deuterostome phyla. Most known src-related PTKs of mammals were found to belong to five well-differentiated families: srcA, srcB, abl, csk, and tec. One srcA gene (fyn) has an alternatively spliced seventh exon which shows a different pattern of relationship from the remainder of the gene; this suggests that this exon may have been derived by a recombinational event with another gene, perhaps one related to fgr. The recently published claim that mammalian members of this family expressed in the nervous system evolve more slowly at nonsynonymous nucleotide sites than do those expressed in the immune system was not supported by an analysis of 13 pairs of human and mouse orthologues. Rather, T-cell-specific src-related PTKs were found to have higher rates of nonsynonymous substitution than were those having broader expression. This effect was particularly marked in the peptide binding site of the SH2 domain. While the SH2 binding site was highly conserved among paralogous mammalian members of the srcA and srcB subfamilies, no such effect was seen in the comparison of paralogous members of the csk and tec subfamilies. This suggests that, while the peptide binding function of SH2 is conserved within both srcA and srcB subfamilies, paralogous members of the csk and tec subfamilies have diverged functionally with respect to peptide recognition by SH2.

The K Protein Domain That Recruits the Interleukin 1-responsive K Protein Kinase Lies Adjacent to a Cluster of c-Src and Vav SH3-binding Sites: IMPLICATIONS THAT K PROTEIN ACTS AS A DOCKING PLATFORM

The heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particle (hnRNP) K protein interacts with multiple molecular partners including DNA, RNA, serine/threonine, and tyrosine kinases and the product of the proto-oncogene, Vav. The K protein is phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro on serine/threonine residues by an interleukin 1 (IL-1)-responsive kinase with which it forms a complex. In this study we set out to map the K protein domains that bind kinases. We demonstrate that the K protein contains a cluster of at least three SH3-binding sites (P1, PPGRGGRPMPPSRR, amino acids 265-278; P2, PRRGPPPPPPGRG, 285-297; and P3, RARNLPLPPPPPPRGG, 303-318) and that each one of these sites is capable of selectively engaging c-Src and Vav SH3 domains but not SH3 domains of Abl, p85 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Grb-2, and Csk. We demonstrate that the K protein domain that recruits and is phosphorylated in an RNA-dependent manner by the IL-1-responsive kinase, designated KPK for K protein kinase, is contained within the 338-425-amino acid stretch and thus is contiguous but does not include the cluster of the SH3-binding sites. K protein and KPK co-immunoprecipitate from cell extracts with either c-Src or Vav, suggesting that K protein-KPK-c-Src and K protein-KPK-Vav complexes exist in vivo. Furthermore, in the context of K protein, c-Src can reactivate KPK in vitro. The succession of kinase-binding sites contained within the K protein that allow it to form multienzyme complexes and facilitate kinase cross-talk suggest that K protein may serve as a docking platform that promotes molecular interactions occurring during signal transduction.

An SH3-binding Site Conserved in Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase and Related Tyrosine Kinases Mediates Specific Protein Interactions in Vitro and in Vivo

Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) have been associated with immunodeficiencies in man and in the mouse. Btk and two related proteins, Itk and Tec, are members of a distinct family of tyrosine kinases. These kinases are believed to function in various receptor-mediated signaling pathways, but their specific functions are as yet undefined. Btk and its homologues share extensive sequence similarity, including a conserved region, the Tec-homology (TH) domain, that has been proposed to mediate specific intermolecular or intramolecular interactions. The TH region of Btk contains a functional SH3-binding site at residues 189-192. SH3 binding is selective: Btk is retained by the SH3 domain of Fyn but not by that of Blk, another Src-type kinase. TH-SH3 binding in vitro is abolished by specific, single amino acid substitutions within the Btk TH domain or the Fyn SH3 domain. We provide two lines of evidence that the SH3-binding site in the Btk TH domain mediates protein interactions in intact cells. First, treatment of cells with pervanadate induces an increase in the phosphotyrosine content of kinase-inactive Btk; this response is substantially reduced by a mutation that inactivates the SH3-binding site in the Btk TH domain. Second, in cell lysates Btk is found in association with an as yet unidentified 72-kDa phosphotyrosine-containing protein; this interaction requires a functional SH3-binding site in the TH domain. The TH domain may therefore interact in vivo with other proteins that regulate the phosphorylation state of Btk.