Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Co-immunoprecipitation Assay for Studying Functional Interactions Between Receptors and Enzymes
Published on: September 28, 2018
SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase binding to c-Src kinase phosphor-dependent conformations: A comparative structural
Mehreen Gul1, Ahmad Navid1, Muhammad Fakhar1
1National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Abstract:
SHP-1 is a cytosolic tyrosine phosphatase that is primarily expressed in hematopoietic cells. It acts as a negative regulator of numerous signaling pathways and controls multiple cellular functions involved in cancer pathogenesis. This study describes the binding preferences of SHP-1 (pY536) to c-Srcopen (pY416) and c-Srcclose (pY527) through in silico approaches. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed more conformational changes in c-Srcclose upon binding to SHP-1, as compared to its active/open conformation that is stabilized by the cooperative binding of the C-SH2 domain and C-terminal tail of SHP-1 to c-Src SH2 and KD. In contrast, c-Srcclose and SHP-1 interaction is mediated by PTP domain-specific WPD-loop (WPDXGXP) and Q-loop (QTXXQYXF) binding to c-Srcclose C-terminal tail residues. The dynamic correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation for SHP-1 PTP with KD, SH3, and the C-terminal tail of c-Srcclose. In the case of the c-Srcopen-SHP-1 complex, SH3 and SH2 domains of c-Srcopen were correlated to C-SH2 and the C-terminal tail of SHP-1. Our findings reveal that SHP1-dependent c-Src activation through dephosphorylation relies on the conformational shift in the inhibitory C-terminal tail that may ease the recruitment of the N-SH2 domain to phosphotyrosine residue, resulting in the relieving of the PTP domain. Collectively, this study delineates the intermolecular interaction paradigm and underlying conformational readjustments in SHP-1 due to binding with the c-Src active and inactive state. This study will largely help in devising novel therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer development.
Insights
The study reveals how SHP-1 (SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1) binds to c-Src (a non-receptor tyrosine kinase) in its active and inactive forms. This interaction is key for understanding cancer development and potential therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- SHP-1 is a tyrosine phosphatase in hematopoietic cells, regulating signaling pathways crucial for cancer.
- c-Src is a kinase involved in various cellular functions and cancer pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the binding preferences of SHP-1 to both active (open) and inactive (closed) forms of c-Src using in silico methods.
- To elucidate the molecular interactions and conformational changes involved in SHP-1 and c-Src binding.
Main Methods:
- In silico approaches, including molecular dynamics simulations.
- Dynamic correlation analysis to assess domain interactions.
Main Results:
- SHP-1 binding induces greater conformational changes in inactive c-Src compared to active c-Src.
- Specific loops (WPD and Q) of SHP-1's PTP domain mediate binding to inactive c-Src's C-terminal tail.
- Distinct domain correlations were observed between SHP-1 and active versus inactive c-Src.
Conclusions:
- SHP-1 binding to c-Src involves specific intermolecular interactions and conformational readjustments.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies by modulating SHP-1/c-Src signaling.
Related Concept Videos
Assembly of Signaling Complexes
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
MAPK Signaling Cascades

