Novel mode of ligand recognition by the Erbin PDZ domain

Erbin contains a class I PDZ domain that binds to the C-terminal region of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2, a class II ligand. The crystal structure of the human Erbin PDZ bound to the peptide EYLGLDVPV corresponding to the C-terminal residues 1247-1255 of human ErbB2 has been determined at 1.25-Angstrom resolution. The Erbin PDZ deviates from the canonical PDZ fold in that it contains a single alpha-helix. The isopropyl group of valine at position -2 of the ErbB2 peptide interacts with the Erbin Val(1351) and displaces the peptide backbone away from the alpha-helix, elucidating the molecular basis of class II ligand recognition by a class I PDZ domain. Strikingly, the phenolic ring of tyrosine -7 enters into a pocket formed by the extended beta2-beta3 loop of the Erbin PDZ. Phosphorylation of tyrosine -7 abolishes this interaction but does not affect the binding of the four C-terminal peptidic residues to PDZ, as revealed by the crystal structure of the Erbin PDZ complexed with a phosphotyrosine-containing ErbB2 peptide. Since phosphorylation of tyrosine -7 plays a critical role in ErbB2 function, the selective binding and sequestration of this residue in its unphosphorylated state by the Erbin PDZ provides a novel mechanism for regulation of the ErbB2-mediated signaling and oncogenicity.