Src homology 2 (SH2) domain found in the Src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases
The Src family kinases are nonreceptor tyrosine kinases that have been implicated in pathways regulating proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, and bone metabolism. It is thought that transforming ability of Src is linked to its ability to activate key signaling molecules in these pathways, rather than through direct activity. As such blocking Src activation has been a target for drug companies. Src family members can be divided into 3 groups based on their expression pattern: 1) Src, Fyn, and Yes; 2) Blk, Fgr, Hck, Lck, and Lyn; and 3) Frk-related kinases Frk/Rak and Iyk/Bsk Of these, cellular c-Src is the best studied and most frequently implicated in oncogenesis. The c-Src contains five distinct regions: a unique N-terminal domain, an SH3 domain, an SH2 domain, a kinase domain and a regulatory tail, as do the other members of the family. Src exists in both active and inactive conformations. Negative regulation occurs through phosphorylation of Tyr, resulting in an intramolecular association between phosphorylated Tyr and the SH2 domain of SRC, which locks the protein in a closed conformation. Further stabilization of the inactive state occurs through interactions between the SH3 domain and a proline-rich stretch of residues within the kinase domain. Conversely, dephosphorylation of Tyr allows SRC to assume an open conformation. Full activity requires additional autophosphorylation of a Tyr residue within the catalytic domain. Loss of the negative-regulatory C-terminal segment has been shown to result in increased activity and transforming potential. Phosphorylation of the C-terminal Tyr residue by C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) and Csk homology kinase results in increased intramolecular interactions and consequent Src inactivation. Specific phosphatases, protein tyrosine phosphatase a (PTPa) and the SH-containing phosphatases SHP1/SHP2, have also been shown to take a part in Src activation. Src is also activated by direct binding of focal adhesion kinase (Fak) and Crk-associated substrate (Cas) to the SH2 domain. SRC activity can also be regulated by numerous receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as Her2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). In general SH2 domains are involved in signal transduction. They typically bind pTyr-containing ligands via two surface pockets, a pTyr and hydrophobic binding pocket, allowing proteins with SH2 domains to localize to tyrosine phosphorylated sites.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",