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pp60v-src phosphorylates and activates low molecular weight phosphotyrosine-protein phosphatase

S Rigacci1, D Degl'Innocenti, M Bucciantini

  • 1Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Firenze, Italy.

Insights

Low molecular weight phosphotyrosine-protein phosphatase activity is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. This phosphorylation enhances the enzyme's catalytic function, revealing a key physiological control mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Low molecular weight (M(r)) phosphotyrosine-protein phosphatase is a cytosolic enzyme.
  • It dephosphorylates receptor tyrosine kinases like EGFR (in vitro) and PDGFR (in vivo).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulation of low M(r) phosphotyrosine-protein phosphatase activity.
  • To explore the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in enzyme activity.

Main Methods:

  • Studied tyrosine phosphorylation of low M(r) phosphotyrosine-protein phosphatase in NIH/3T3 cells transformed by pp60v-src.
  • Utilized immunoprecipitation to identify the tyrosine kinase responsible for phosphorylation.
  • Investigated auto-dephosphorylation and intermolecular dephosphorylation using phosphatase inhibitors and phenylarsine oxide.

Main Results:

  • Low M(r) phosphotyrosine-protein phosphatase is constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated in pp60v-src transformed cells.
  • pp60v-src phosphorylates the enzyme in vitro.
  • Phosphorylation is enhanced by phosphatase inhibitors and inactivated phosphatase, suggesting auto-dephosphorylation.
  • Intermolecular dephosphorylation was also observed.
  • Tyrosine phosphorylation correlates with increased catalytic activity.

Conclusions:

  • Tyrosine phosphorylation is a physiological mechanism for regulating low M(r) phosphotyrosine-protein phosphatase activity.
  • This phosphorylation enhances the enzyme's catalytic function.

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