Identification and biophysical assessment of the molecular recognition mechanisms between the human haemopoietic cell kinase Src homology domain 3 and ALG-2-interacting protein X

Biochem J. 2010 Oct 1;431(1):93-102. doi: 10.1042/BJ20100314.

Abstract

SFKs (Src family kinases) are central regulators of many signalling pathways. Their functions are tightly regulated through SH (Src homology) domain-mediated protein-protein interactions. A yeast two-hybrid screen using SH3 domains as bait identified Alix [ALG-2 (apoptosis-linked gene 2)-interacting protein X] as a novel Hck (haemopoietic cell kinase) SH3 domain interactor. The Alix-Hck-SH3 interaction was confirmed in vitro by a GST (glutathione transferase) pull-down assay and in intact cells by a mammalian two-hybrid assay. Furthermore, the interaction was demonstrated to be biologically relevant in cells. Through biophysical experiments, we then identified the PRR (proline-rich region) motif of Alix that binds Hck-SH3 and determined a dissociation constant of 34.5 μM. Heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy experiments were used to map the Hck-SH3 residues that interact with an ALIX construct containing the V and PRR domains or with the minimum identified interacting motif. Finally, SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) analysis showed that the N-terminal PRR of Alix is unfolded, at least before Hck-SH3 recognition. These results indicate that residues outside the canonical PxxP motif of Alix enhance its affinity and selectivity towards Hck-SH3. The structural framework of the Hck-Alix interaction will help to clarify how Hck and Alix assist during virus budding and cell-surface receptor regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / chemistry*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / chemistry*
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-hck / chemistry*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-hck / metabolism
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Virus Release
  • src Homology Domains*

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • PDCD6IP protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-hck