PTB domains of IRS-1 and Shc have distinct but overlapping binding specificities.

PTB domains are non-Src homology 2 (SH2) phosphotyrosine binding domains originally described in the receptor tyrosine kinase substrate, Shc. By serial truncation, we show that a 174-residue region of Shc p52 (33-206) has full PTB activity. We also show that a 173-residue region of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1; residues 144-316) has related PTB activity. In vitro both domains bind directly to activated insulin receptors. Binding is abrogated by substitution of Tyr-960 and selectively inhibited by phosphopeptides containing NPXY sequences. Phosphopeptide assays developed to compare PTB domain specificities show that the Shc PTB domain binds with highest affinity to psi XN beta 1 beta 2 pY motifs derived from middle T (mT), TrkA, ErbB4, or epidermal growth factor receptors (psi = hydrophobic, beta = beta-turn forming); the IRS-1 PTB domain does not bind with this motif. In contrast, both the Shc and IRS-1 PTB domains bind psi psi psi XXN beta 1 beta 2pY sequences derived from insulin and interleukin 4 receptors, although specificities vary in detail. Shc and IRS-1 are phosphorylated by distinct but overlapping sets of receptor-linked tyrosine kinases. These differences may be accounted for by the inherent specificities of their respective PTB domains.