Substrate recognition by the Lyn protein-tyrosine kinase. NMR structure of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling region of the B cell antigen receptor.

The immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) plays a central role in transmembrane signal transduction in hematopoietic cells by mediating responses leading to proliferation and differentiation. An initial signaling event following activation of the B cell antigen receptor is phosphorylation of the CD79a (Ig-alpha) ITAM by Lyn, a Src family protein-tyrosine kinase. To elucidate the structural basis for recognition between the ITAM substrate and activated Lyn kinase, the structure of an ITAM-derived peptide bound to Lyn was determined using exchange-transferred nuclear Overhauser NMR spectroscopy. The bound substrate structure has an irregular helix-like character. Docking based on the NMR data into the active site of the closely related Lck kinase strongly favors ITAM binding in an orientation similar to binding of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase rather than that of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. The model of the complex provides a rationale for conserved ITAM residues, substrate specificity, and suggests that substrate binds only the active conformation of the Src family tyrosine kinase, unlike the ATP cofactor, which can bind the inactive form.

NMR structure of phospho-tyrosine signaling complexes.

A structural basis for activation and substrate specificity of src tyrosine kinases, and regulation of protein-protein association by tyrosine phosphorylation is described. Lyn, a src-family tyrosine kinase, recognizes and phosphorylates the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif, ITAM, a critical component in transmembrane signal transduction in hemopoietic cells. The structure of an ITAM peptide substrate bound to an active form of Lyn tyrosine kinase was determined by high-resolution NMR, and a model of the complex was generated using the crystallographic structure of Lck, a closely related Src-family kinase. The results provide a rationale for the conserved ITAM residues and specificity of Lyn, and suggest that substrate plays a role in stabilizing the kinase conformation optimal for catalysis. It is our hope that the Lck-ITAM peptide model complex will be useful in aiding structure-based drug design efforts that target substrate binding determinants in the design. Concerning the regulation of protein-protein association, we report on a complex between erythrocyte band 3 and two glycolytic enzymes, aldolase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The formation of this complex is negatively regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation of band 3 by p72syk tyrosine kinase. In red blood cells, this association results in a decrease in glycolysis due to competitive inhibition of the glycolytic enzymes. The structure of band 3 recognized by the glycolytic enzymes was determined by solution NMR, and found to be a loop structure with tyrosine centrally positioned and excluded from intermolecular contact. This phosphorylation sensitive interaction, or PSI, loop may be the basis of a general mechanism for negative regulation through tyrosine phosphorylation.