SH2
domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), encoded by
PTPN11
, plays a fundamental role in the modulation of several
signaling pathways. Germline and somatic mutations in
PTPN11
are associated with different rare diseases and hematologic malignancies,
and recent studies have individuated SHP2 as a central node in oncogenesis
and cancer drug resistance. The SHP2 structure includes two Src homology
2 domains (N-SH2 and C-SH2) followed by a catalytic protein tyrosine
phosphatase (PTP) domain. Under basal conditions, the N-SH2 domain
blocks the active site, inhibiting phosphatase activity. Association
of the N-SH2 domain with binding partners containing short amino acid
motifs comprising a phosphotyrosine residue (pY) leads to N-SH2/PTP
dissociation and SHP2 activation. Considering the relevance of SHP2
in signaling and disease and the central role of the N-SH2 domain
in its allosteric regulation mechanism, we performed microsecond-long
molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the N-SH2 domain complexed
to 12 different peptides to define the structural and dynamical features
determining the binding affinity and specificity of the domain. Phosphopeptide
residues at position −2 to +5, with respect to pY, have significant
interactions with the SH2 domain. In addition to the strong interaction
of the pY residue with its conserved binding pocket, the complex is
stabilized hydrophobically by insertion of residues +1, +3, and +5
in an apolar groove of the domain and interaction of residue −2
with both the pY and a protein surface residue. Additional interactions
are provided by hydrogen bonds formed by the backbone of residues
−1, +1, +2, and +4. Finally, negatively charged residues at
positions +2 and +4 are involved in electrostatic interactions with
two lysines (Lys89 and Lys91) specific for the SHP2 N-SH2 domain.
Interestingly, the MD simulations illustrated a previously undescribed
conformational flexibility of the domain, involving the core β
sheet and the loop that closes the pY binding pocket.