Blockade of phosphotyrosine pathways suggesting SH2 superbinder as a novel therapy for pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and irreversible fibrotic disease with high mortality. Currently, pirfenidone and nintedanib are the only approved drugs for IPF by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but their efficacy is limited. The activation of multiple phosphotyrosine (pY) mediated signaling pathways underlying the pathological mechanism of IPF has been explored. A Src homology-2 (SH2) superbinder, which contains mutations of three amino acids (AAs) of natural SH2 domain has been shown to be able to block phosphotyrosine (pY) pathway. Therefore, we aimed to introduce SH2 superbinder into the treatment of IPF. Methods: We analyzed the database of IPF patients and examined pY levels in lung tissues from IPF patients. In primary lung fibroblasts obtained from IPF patient as well as bleomycin (BLM) treated mice, the cell proliferation, migration and differentiation associated with pY were investigated and the anti-fibrotic effect of SH2 superbinder was also tested. In vivo, we further verified the safety and effectiveness of SH2 superbinder in multiple BLM mice models. We also compared the anti-fibrotic effect and side-effect of SH2 superbinder and nintedanib in vivo. Results: The data showed that the cytokines and growth factors pathways which directly correlated to pY levels were significantly enriched in IPF. High pY levels were found to induce abnormal proliferation, migration and differentiation of lung fibroblasts. SH2 superbinder blocked pY-mediated signaling pathways and suppress pulmonary fibrosis by targeting high pY levels in fibroblasts. SH2 superbinder had better therapeutic effect and less side-effect compare to nintedanib in vivo. Conclusions: SH2 superbinder had significant anti-fibrotic effects both in vitro and in vivo, which could be used as a promising therapy for IPF.

Phosphotyrosine isosteres: past, present and future.

Tyrosine phosphorylation is a critical component of signal transduction for multicellular organisms, particularly for pathways that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. While tyrosine kinase inhibitors have become FDA-approved drugs, inhibitors of the other important components of these signaling pathways have been harder to develop. Specifically, direct phosphotyrosine (pTyr) isosteres have been aggressively pursued as inhibitors of Src homology 2 (SH2) domains and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Medicinal chemists have produced many classes of peptide and small molecule inhibitors that mimic pTyr. However, balancing affinity with selectivity and cell penetration has made this an extremely difficult space for developing successful clinical candidates. This review will provide a comprehensive picture of the field of pTyr isosteres, from early beginnings to the current state and trajectory. We will also highlight the major protein targets of these medicinal chemistry efforts, the major classes of peptide and small molecule inhibitors that have been developed, and the handful of compounds which have been tested in clinical trials.

The radioprotector ortho-phospho-L-tyrosine (pTyr) attenuates the side effects of fractionated irradiation in retinoblastoma mouse models but also decreases the local tumour control.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT) is used to treat retinoblastoma (Rb), the most frequent ocular tumour in children. Besides eradicating the tumour, RT can cause severe side effects including secondary malignancies. This study aimed to define whether the radioprotector ortho-phospho-L-tyrosine (pTyr) prevents RT-induced side effects and affects local tumour control in a xenograft and a genetic orthotopic Rb mouse model. METHODS: B6;129-Rb1tm3Tyj/J (Rb+/-) and Y79-Rb cell-xenografted nude mice were fractionated external beam irradiated (15 fractions of 5Gy 6MV photons during 3weeks) with or without pTyr pre-treatment (100mg/kg BW, 16h prior to each irradiation). One, three, six and nine months after RT, tumour control and RT toxicity were evaluated using in vivo imaging and histology. We also analysed pTyr dependant post irradiation cell survival and p53 activity in vitro. RESULTS: In vitro pTyr pre-treatment showed no radioprotection on Y79 cells, but led to p53 stabilisation in unirradiated Y79 cells and to a facilitation of radiation-induced p21 up-regulation, confirming a modulation of p53 activity by pTyr. In both mouse models, secondary tumours were undetectable. In Rb+/- mice, pTyr significantly lowered RT-induced greying of the fur, retinal thickness reduction and photoreceptor loss. However, in the xenografted Rb model, pTyr considerably decreased RT-mediated tumour control, which was observed in 16 out of 22 control eyes but in none of the 24 pTyr treated eyes. CONCLUSIONS: In Rb+/- mice pTyr significantly prevents RT-induced greying of the fur as well as retinal degeneration. However, since non-irradiated control mice were not used in our study, a formal possibility exists that the effect shown in the retina of Rb+/- mice may be due to ageing of the animals and/or actions of pTyr alone. Unfortunately, as tested in a xenograft model, pTyr treatment reduced the control of Rb tumours.

Light-switched inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B based on phosphonocarbonyl phenylalanine as photoactive phosphotyrosine mimetic.

Phosphopeptide mimetics containing the 4-phosphonocarbonyl phenylalanine (pcF) as a photo-active phosphotyrosine isoster are developed as potent, light-switchable inhibitors of the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B. The photo-active inhibitors 6-10 are derived from phosphopeptide substrates and are prepared from the suitably protected pcF building block 12 by Fmoc-based solid phase peptide synthesis. All pcF-containing peptides are moderate inhibitors of PTP1B with KI values between 10 and 50µM. Irradiation of the inhibitors at 365nm in the presence of the protein PTP1B amplify the inhibitory activity of pcF-peptides up to 120-fold, switching the KI values of the best inhibitors to the sub-micromolar range. Photo-activation of the inhibitors results in the formation of triplet intermediates of the benzoylphosphonate moiety, which deactivate PTP1B following an oxidative radical mechanism. Deactivation of PTP1B proceeds without covalent crosslinking of the protein target with the photo-switched inhibitors and can be reverted by subsequent addition of reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT).

Substrate selection influences molecular recognition in a screen for lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors.

Assay design is an important variable that influences the outcome of an inhibitor screen. Here, we have investigated the hypothesis that protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors with improved biological activity could be identified from a screen by using a biologically relevant peptide substrate, rather than traditional phosphotyrosine mimetic substrates. A 2000-member library of drugs and drug-like compounds was screened for inhibitors of lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (LYP) by using both a peptide substrate (Ac-ARLIEDNE-pCAP-TAREG-NH2, peptide 1) and a small-molecule phosphotyrosine mimetic substrate (difluoromethyl umbelliferyl phosphate, DiFMUP). The results demonstrate that compounds that inhibited enzyme activity on the peptide substrate had greater biological activity than compounds that only inhibited enzyme activity on DiFMUP. Finally, epigallocatechin-3,5-digallate was identified as the most potent inhibitor of lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase activity to date, with an IC50 of 50 nM and significant activity in T-cells. Molecular docking simulations provided a first model for binding of this potent inhibitor to LYP; this will constitute the platform for ongoing lead optimization efforts.

Development and evaluation of novel phosphotyrosine mimetic inhibitors targeting the Src homology 2 domain of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) associated protein.

Specific interactions between Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing proteins and the phosphotyrosine-containing counterparts play significant role in cellular protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) signaling pathways. The SH2 domain inhibitors could potentially serve as drug candidates in treating human diseases. Here we have incorporated a novel phosphotyrosine mimetic, which is an unusual amino acid carrying a cyclosaligenyl (cycloSal) phosphodiester moiety, into dipeptides to investigate the inhibitory effect on SH2 domain-containing proteins. A plate-based assay was also established to screen for inhibitors that disrupt the interaction between a phosphopeptide of SLAM (signaling lymphocytic activation molecule) and its interacting protein SAP (SLAM-associated protein). We identified a number of inhibitors with IC50 values in the range of 17-35 µM, implying that the cycloSal phosphodiester-carrying amino acid could mimic the phosphotyrosyl residue. Our results also raise the possibility of integrating the newly developed phosphotyrosine mimetic moiety into inhibitors designed for other SH2 domain-containing proteins.

Peptidomimetic competitive inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases.

This review discusses the development of the active site-directed protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors based on peptides and some closely related nonpeptidic scaffolds. A straightforward approach is to substitute various nonhydrolyzable analogs for the phosphotyrosine (pTyr) of optimal or physiological phosphopeptide substrates of PTPs. The advances in small molecule peptidic PTP inhibitors and their nonpeptidic derivatives have been greatly aided by X-ray crystallographic and NMR spectrometric studies. Given the importance of PTPs in disease-associated signal transduction and the continuing progress in PTP drug discovery, some clinically useful PTP inhibitors may emerge in the near future.

Activation of protein kinase Cepsilon stimulates DNA-repair via epidermal growth factor receptor nuclear accumulation.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the interaction between radioprotector O-phospho-l-tyrosine (P-Tyr) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). METHODS: Molecular effects of P-Tyr at the level of EGFR responses were investigated in vitro with TP53-wildtype bronchial carcinoma cell line A549, which is radio-protected by P-Tyr treatment. Nuclear EGFR accumulation was followed by confocal microscopy and Western blotting. PKCepsilon protein expression was impaired by specific siRNA. Residual DNA-damage was quantified with gammaH(2)AX foci analysis. RESULTS: P-Tyr mediated radio-protection was associated with nuclear EGFR accumulation. Radiation-induced nuclear EGFR presented increased phosphorylation at residue No. T654. We identified PKCepsilon as responsible for T654-phosphorylation. Knockdown of PKCepsilon by siRNA blocked both radiation- and P-Tyr-triggered nuclear EGFR accumulation. Furthermore, nuclear accumulation of EGFR was associated with increased phosphorylation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) at residue No. T2609, essential for DNA-repair. Consequently P-Tyr mediated effects upon DNA-PK resulted in a significant reduction of radiation-induced residual gammaH(2)AX-foci. Knockdown of PKCepsilon increased radiation-induced residual damage and abolished the P-Tyr associated radioprotection. In addition, P-Tyr mediated radioprotection was completely absent in colony formation assay. CONCLUSION: The data presented herein suggest that P-Tyr-treatment mediates activation of PKCepsilon, which triggers nuclear EGFR accumulation. Nuclear EGFR is involved in phosphorylation of DNA-PK at Thr2609, which has a significant impact upon DNA-DSB repair.

The radioprotector O-phospho-tyrosine stimulates DNA-repair via epidermal growth factor receptor- and DNA-dependent kinase phosphorylation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Purpose of the study was to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of the radioprotector O-phospho-tyrosine (P-Tyr). METHODS: Molecular effects of P-Tyr at the level of EGFR responses were investigated in vitro with bronchial carcinoma cell line A549. Nuclear EGFR transport and DNA-PK activation were quantified after Western blotting. Residual DNA-damages were quantified by help of gammaH(2)AX focus assay. RESULTS: As determined by dose-response curves, treatment of cells with P-Tyr for 16h before irradiation results in radioprotection. Simultaneous treatment with EGFR blocking antibody Cetuximab abolished P-Tyr associated radioprotection. At the molecular level P-Tyr mediated a general phosphorylation of EGFR and a pronounced phosphorylation of nuclear EGFR at residue Thr No. 654, also observed after treatment with ionizing radiation. This phosphorylation was associated with nuclear EGFR accumulation. Moreover, P-Tyr-triggered EGFR nuclear accumulation was associated with phosphorylation of DNA-PK at Thr 2609. This activated form of DNA-PK was not DNA associated, but after radiation, DNA binding increased, particularly after P-Tyr pre-treatment. These molecular effects of P-Tyr resulted in a reduction of residual DNA-damage after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: Radioprotection by P-Tyr is mediated through its stimulation of nuclear EGFR transport and concurrent, but DNA-damage independent, activation of DNA-PK. Thus, subsequent irradiation results in increased binding of DNA-PK to DNA, improved DNA-repair and increased cell survival.

Design and synthesis of phosphonodifluoromethyl phenylalanine (F2Pmp): a useful phosphotyrosyl mimetic.

Hydrolytically-stable phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) mimetics can be useful tools for the study of cellular signal transduction processes. Among pTyr mimetics reported to date, phosphono(diflouromethyl)phenylalanine (F(2)Pmp) has shown particular utility when dealing with protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). The current overview presents the development of F(2)Pmp and a summary of approaches toward its synthesis and use.

Design and synthesis of phosphotyrosine peptidomimetic prodrugs.

A novel approach to the intracellular delivery of aryl phosphates has been developed that utilizes a phosphoramidate-based prodrug approach. The prodrugs contain an ester group that undergoes reductive activation intracellularly with concomitant expulsion of a phosphoramidate anion. This anion undergoes intramolecular cyclization and hydrolysis to generate aryl phosphate exclusively with a t(1/2) = approximately 20 min. Phosphoramidate prodrugs (8-10) of phosphate-containing peptidomimetics that target the SH2 domain were synthesized. Evaluation of these peptidomimetic prodrugs in a growth inhibition assay and in a cell-based transcriptional assay demonstrated that the prodrugs had IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Synthesis of phosphorodiamidate analogues containing a P-NH-Ar linker (16-18) was also carried out in the hope that the phosphoramidates released might be phosphatase-resistant. Comparable activation rates and cell-based activities were observed for these prodrugs, but the intermediate phosphoramidate dianion underwent spontaneous hydrolysis with a t(1/2) = approximately 30 min.

[Peculiarities of dephosphorylation reaction catalyzed by purified protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 from thymocytes of intact and exposed to ionising radiation rats].

This paper is devoted to analysis of parameters of catalytical activity of CD45, the major transmembrane proteintyrosine phosphatase (PTP-ase) of the lymphocytes, isolated from plasma membranes of thymocytes of control and 0.5 Gy irradiated rats. CD45 catalytic features were evaluated using 0.2 mM sodium vanadate as the inhibitor and paranitrophenylphosphate (1-8 mM) and phosphotyrosine (1-6 mM) as, respectively, nonspecific and specific substrates. With the former, irradiation was shown to cause a decrease in Vmax but an increase in affinity. With phosphotyrosine both Vmax and affinity decreased. These data suggest that the exposure to radiation causes an increase in non-specific enzyme activity with a decrease in the ability to dephosphorylate the specific substrate. A study of cooperativity parameters shows that cooperativity between two phosphatase domains increased after irradiation. An analysis of the inhibitor kinetics showed that radiation caused a change of competitive inhibition by mixed one.

A nonhydrolyzable analogue of phosphotyrosine, and related aryloxymethano- and aryloxyethano-phosphonic acids as motifs for inhibition of phosphatases.

Nonhydrolyzable analogues of both stereoisomers of phosphotyrosine, and a series of related aryloxy (or thio) methyl and aryloxy (or thio) ethyl phosphonic acids of the general formula RX-(CH(2))(n)-PO(3)H(2) (where X=O or S and n=1 or 2), have been tested as nonhydrolyzable mimetics of phosphatase substrates. These compounds were tested against a panel of phosphatases (two alkaline phosphatases, a protein-tyrosine phosphatase, and two serine/threonine phosphatases) with different active site motifs. The compounds exhibit competitive inhibition toward all enzymes tested, with the best inhibition expressed toward the Ser/Thr phosphatases. The stereoisomers of the phosphotyrosine analogues exhibited an unexpected difference in their inhibitory properties toward the protein-tyrosine phosphatase from Yersinia. The K(i) for the d isomer is 33-fold lower than that of the l isomer, and is more than an order of magnitude lower than the reported K(m) of the substrate l-phosphotyrosine.

An SH2 domain-dependent, phosphotyrosine-independent interaction between Vav1 and the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase: a mechanism for localizing guanine nucleotide-exchange factor action.

Mer belongs to the Mer/Axl/Tyro3 receptor tyrosine kinase family, which regulates immune homeostasis in part by triggering monocyte ingestion of apoptotic cells. Mutations in Mer can also cause retinitis pigmentosa, again due to defective phagocytosis of apoptotic material. Although, some functional aspects of Mer have been deciphered, how receptor activation lead to the physiological consequences is not understood. By using yeast two-hybrid assays, we identified the carboxyl-terminal region of the guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) Vav1 as a Mer-binding partner. Unlike similar (related) receptors, Mer interacted with Vav1 constitutively and independently of phosphotyrosine, yet the site of binding localized to the Vav1 SH2 domain. Mer activation resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav1 and release from Mer, whereas Vav1 was neither phosphorylated nor released from kinase-dead Mer. Mutation of the Vav1 SH2 domain phosphotyrosine coordinating Arg-696 did not alter Mer/Vav1 constitutive binding or Vav1 tyrosine phosphorylation but did retard Vav1 release from autophosphorylated Mer. Ligand-dependent activation of Mer in human monocytes led to Vav1 release and stimulated GDP replacement by GTP on RhoA family members. This unusual constitutive, SH2 domain-dependent, but phosphotyrosine-independent, interaction and its regulated local release and subsequent activation of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA may explain how Mer coordinates precise cytoskeletal changes governing the ingestion of apoptotic material by macrophages and pigmented retinal epithelial cells.

The 35 kDa acid metallophosphatase of the frog Rana esculenta liver: studies on its cellular localization and protein phosphatase activity.

The cellular localization of the 35 kDa, low molecular mass acid metallophosphatase (LMW AcPase) from the frog (Rana esculenta) liver and its activity towards P-Ser and P-Tyr phosphorylated peptides were studied. This enzyme was localized to the cytoplasm of hepatocytes but did not appear in other cells of liver tissue (endothelium, macrophages, blood cells). This LMW AcPase does not display activity towards (32)P-phosphorylase a under conditions standard for the enzymes of PPP family. Proteins containing P-Ser: rabbit (32)P-phosphorylasea and phosvitin are hydrolysed only at acidic pH and are poor substrates for this enzyme. The frog AcPase is not inhibited by okadaic acid and F(-) ions, the Ser/Thr protein phosphatase inhibitors. Moreover, the frog enzyme does not cross-react with specific antisera directed against N-terminal fragment of human PP2A and C-terminal conserved fragment of the eukaryotic PP2A catalytic subunits. These results exclude LMW AcPase from belonging to Ser/Thr protein phosphatases: PP1c or PP2Ac. In addition to P-Tyr, this enzyme hydrolyses efficiently at acidic pH P-Tyr phosphorylated peptides (hirudin and gastrin fragments). K(m) value for the hirudin fragment (7.55 +/- 1.59 x 10(-6) M) is 2-3 orders of magnitude lower in comparison with other substrates tested. The enzyme is inhibited competitively by typical inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases): sodium orthovanadate, molybdate and tungstate. These results may suggest that the LMW AcPase of frog liver can act as PTPase in vivo. A different cellular localization and different response to inhibition by tetrahedral oxyanions (molybdate, vanadate and tungstate) provide further evidence that LMW AcPase of frog liver is distinct from the mammalian tartrate-resistant acid phosphatases.

Potent Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists not relying on phosphotyrosine mimics.

Development of Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists is an effective approach to inhibit the growth of malignant cells by modulating Grb2-related Ras signaling. We report here potent Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists that do not rely on phosphotyrosine or its mimics. These non-phosphorylated antagonists were developed and further modified by constraining the backbone conformation and optimizing amino acid side chains of a phage library-derived peptide, G1TE. After extensive SAR studies and structural optimization, non-phosphorylated peptide 12 was discovered with an IC(50) of 75 nM. This potent peptidomimetic provides a novel template for the development of non-pTyr containing Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists and acts as a chemotherapeutic lead for the treatment of erbB2-related cancer.

Cytotoxic activity of a new lipid formulation of doxorubicin in cell lines and primary tumor cells.

BACKGROUND: Liposomal formulations of the anthracyclines are being developed to circumvent toxicity and prolong effect. The current study investigates the in vitro activity of a novel doxorubicin micelle formulation, containing a vehicle designed to release pharmacologically active subcomponents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin formulated in a vehicle containing C4 (N-docosahexaenoyl-O-phospho-2-aminoethanol) and C11 (N-all trans-retinoyl-O-phospho-L-tyrosine) was measured in a panel of human tumor cell lines, 19 primary cultures of human tumor cells and 5 lymphocyte preparations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At the tested ratio between doxorubicin and C4/C11 (1:50), C4/C11 contributed significantly to the in vitro toxicity. However, the molar EC50-values were lower for doxorubicin than for C4/C11. Synergistic interactions between doxorubicin and C4/C11 were evident in a majority of the cell types studied. C4/C11 increased the cellular load of the fluorescent Pgp substrate calcein. To further investigate the possible benefits of the new formulation, in vivo studies are ongoing.

Phospho-Azatyrosine, a less effective protein-tyrosine phosphatase substrate than phosphotyrosine.

Azatyrosine (AzaTyr, 4) is a natural product isolated from Streptomyces chibanesis, whose structure is characterized by a nitrogen atom in the aryl ring of a tyrosyl residue. This seemingly minor modification to the tyrosyl residue results in profound physiological effects, as AzaTyr has been shown to promote permanent reversion of ras-dependent transformed cells to the normal phenotype in culture and to inhibit chemical induction of carcinogenesis in transgenic mice bearing oncogenic human ras. The mechanisms underlying these effects are not known, however ras-pathways involve an intricate balance between both protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). The present study was undertaken to examine the general utility of AzaTyr as a structural motif for PTP inhibitor design by examining the phospho-azatyrosine (pAzaTyr)-containing peptide Ac-Asp-Ala-Asp-Glu-pAzaTyr-Leu-amide (8) in a PTP1 enzyme system. Kinetic analysis indicated that 8 binds with a Km value of 210 microM and a catalytic turnover rate, kcat of 52 s(-1). This represents a greater than 50-fold reduction in binding affinity relative to the parent phosphotyrosine-containing peptide, indicating that the aryl nitrogen adversely affects binding affinity. The much lower PTP affinity of the pAzaTyr-containing peptide reduces the potential utility of the AzaTyr pharmacophore for PTP inhibitor design. These results are discussed from the point of view that incorporation of AzaTyr residues into proteins could result in perturbation of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation,dephosphorylation cascades that control signal transduction processes, including ras-dependent pathways.

Phosphoryltyrosyl mimetics in the design of peptide-based signal transduction inhibitors.

The central roles played by protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent signal transduction in normal cellular regulation and homeostasis have made inappropriate or aberrant functions of certain of these pathways contributing factors to a variety of diseases, including several cancers. For this reason, development of PTK signaling inhibitors has evolved into an important approach toward new therapeutics. Since in these pathways phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) residues provide unique and defining functions either by their creation under the catalysis of PTKs, their recognition and binding by protein modules such as SH2 and phosphotyrosyl binding (PTB) domains, or their destruction by protein-tyrosine phosphatases, pTyr mimetics provide useful general starting points for inhibitor design. Important considerations in the development of such pTyr mimetics include enzymatic stability (particularly toward PTPs), high affinity recognition by target pTyr binding proteins, and good cellular bioavailability. Although small molecule, nonpeptide inhibitors may be ultimate objectives of inhibitor development, peptides frequently serve as display platforms for pTyr mimetics, which afford useful and conceptually straightforward starting points in the development process. Reported herein is a limited overview of pTyr mimetic development as it relates to peptide-based agents. Of particular interest are recent findings that highlight potential limitations of peptides as display platforms for the identification of small molecule leads. One conclusion that results from this work is that while peptide-based approaches toward small molecule inhibitor design are often intellectually satisfying from a structure-based perspective, extrapolation of negative findings to small molecule, nonpeptide contexts should be undertaken with extreme caution.

A model of activation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 by the human leptin receptor.

Signalling through the leptin receptor has been shown to activate the SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 through tyrosine phosphorylation. The human leptin receptor contains five tyrosine residues in the cytoplasmic domain that may become phosphorylated. We show here using BIAcore studies, wherein binding of peptides to SHP-2 was detected, that peptides corresponding to sequences containing phosphotyrosines 974 and 986 (LR974P and LR986P, respectively) from the leptin receptor cytoplasmic domain were the only two peptides that bound to the enzyme. Binding of LR974P to SHP-2 was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by orthovanadate, whereas binding of LY986P was not, indicating that the enzyme binds to these peptides through different sites. Only the leptin receptor-derived peptide corresponding to tyrosine 974 was dephosphorylated by recombinant purified SHP-2. Time courses of the reaction were complex, and fitted a two exponent rate equation. Preincubation of SHP-2 with LR986P markedly activated the enzyme at early time points and time courses of the activated enzyme fitted a single exponential first order rate equation. We propose that LR974P binds to the active site of SHP-2, whereas LR986P may bind to the N- and C-terminal SH2 domains of SHP-2, thus activating the phosphatase activity. These data support a model in which SHP-2 binds to phosphotyrosine 986 in the activated leptin receptor and is activated to dephosphorylate phosphotyrosine 974, downregulating signalling events emanating from SH2 domain-containing proteins that bind here.