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Phosphopeptide occupancy and photoaffinity cross-linking of the v-Src SH2 domain attenuates tyrosine kinase activity

P Garcia1, S E Shoelson, J S Drew

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794.

Insights

v-Src tyrosine kinase activity is regulated by its SH2 domain. Occupying the SH2 domain with specific phosphopeptides inhibits v-Src kinase activity, revealing a conformational change mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • c-Src tyrosine kinase activity is regulated by phosphorylation at Tyr-527, promoting intramolecular interaction with the SH2 domain.
  • v-Src, a viral homolog of c-Src, lacks this regulatory site and exhibits constitutive kinase activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulation of v-Src tyrosine kinase activity by its SH2 domain.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which phosphopeptides modulate v-Src kinase activity.

Main Methods:

  • v-Src kinase activity was assessed in the presence of phosphopeptides corresponding to c-Src Tyr-527 and a polyoma virus middle T antigen motif.
  • Photoactive amino acid substitution was used to probe SH2 domain interactions with v-Src.
  • Cross-linking studies were performed with isolated Src SH2 domains.

Main Results:

  • Phosphopeptides inhibited baculovirus-expressed v-Src tyrosine kinase activity 2- to 4-fold.
  • Photoactive peptides induced time- and concentration-dependent photoinactivation of v-Src kinase (5-fold).
  • These peptides cross-linked with isolated Src SH2 domains, indicating specific binding.

Conclusions:

  • Occupancy of the v-Src SH2 domain by phosphopeptides induces a conformational change.
  • This conformational change is transmitted to the kinase domain, leading to attenuated tyrosine kinase activity.
  • The SH2 domain is a critical regulator of v-Src kinase activity.

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