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Walter Cannon was a highly regarded American neurologist and physiologist with extremely broad interests. In the tradition of Cannon and his broad interests, we discuss our laboratory's multifaceted work in signal transduction over the past 40+ years. We show how our questioning of how growth hormone (GH) in the blood communicates with cells throughout the body to promote body growth and regulate body metabolism led to insight into not only body height but also important regulators of malignancy and body weight. Highlights include finding that 1) A critical initiating step in GH signal transduction is GH activating the GH receptor-associated tyrosine kinase JAK2; 2) GH activation of JAK2 leads to activation of a number of signaling proteins, including STAT transcription factors; 3) JAK2 is autophosphorylated on multiple tyrosines that regulate the activity of JAK2 and recruit signaling proteins to GH/GH receptor/JAK2 complexes; 4) Constitutively activated STAT proteins are associated with cancer; 5) GH activation of JAK2 recruits the adapter protein SH2B1 to GH/GH receptor/JAK2 complexes where it facilitates GH regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and motility; and 6) SH2B1 is recruited to other receptors in the brain, where it enhances satiety, most likely in part by regulating leptin action and neuronal connections of appetite-regulating neurons. These findings have led to increased understanding of how GH functions, as well as therapeutic interventions for certain cancer and obese individuals, thereby reinforcing the great importance of supporting basic research since one never knows ahead of time what important insight it can provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human variants of the adapter protein SH2B1 are associated with severe childhood obesity, hyperphagia, and insulin resistance—phenotypes mimicked by mice lacking Sh2b1. SH2B1β and γ isoforms are expressed ubiquitously, whereas SH2B1α and δ isoforms are expressed primarily in the brain. Restoring SH2B1β driven by the neuron-specific enolase promoter largely reverses the metabolic phenotype of Sh2b1-null mice, suggesting crucial roles for neuronal SH2B1β in energy balance control. Here we test this hypothesis by using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to delete the β and γ isoforms from the neurons of mice (SH2B1βγ neuron-specific knockout [NKO] mice) or throughout the body (SH2B1βγ knockout [KO] mice). While parameters of energy balance were normal in both male and female SH2B1βγ NKO mice, food intake, body weight, and adiposity were increased in male (but not female) SH2B1βγ KO mice. Analysis of long-read single-cell RNA seq data from wild-type mouse brain revealed that neurons express almost exclusively the α and δ isoforms, whereas neuroglial cells express almost exclusively the β and γ isoforms. Our work suggests that neuronal SH2B1β and γ are not primary regulators of energy balance. Rather, non-neuronal SH2B1β and γ in combination with neuronal SH2B1α and δ suffice for body weight maintenance. While SH2B1β/γ and SH2B1α/δ share some functionality, SH2B1β/γ appears to play a larger role in promoting leanness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Src homology 2 B adapter protein 1 (SH2B1) modulates signaling by a variety of ligands that bind to receptor tyrosine kinases or JAK-associated cytokine receptors, including leptin, insulin, growth hormone (GH), and nerve growth factor (NGF). Targeted deletion of SH2B1 in mice results in increased food intake, obesity, and insulin resistance, with an intermediate phenotype seen in heterozygous null mice on a high-fat diet. We identified SH2B1 loss-of-function mutations in a large cohort of patients with severe early-onset obesity. Mutation carriers exhibited hyperphagia, childhood-onset obesity, disproportionate insulin resistance, and reduced final height as adults. Unexpectedly, mutation carriers exhibited a spectrum of behavioral abnormalities that were not reported in controls, including social isolation and aggression. We conclude that SH2B1 plays a critical role in the control of human food intake and body weight and is implicated in maladaptive human behavior., Introduction Leptin is a 16-kDa circulating hormone that regulates energy homeostasis via hypothalamic neurons expressing the leptin receptor (LEPR) (1). Congenital deficiency of leptin and its receptor results in severe [...]

Fluorescence anisotropy capillary electrophoresis (FACE) and affinity probe capillary electrophoresis (APCE) with laser-induced fluorescence detection were evaluated for analysis of peptide--protein interactions with rapid binding kinetics. The Src homology 2 domain of protein SH2-B[beta] (SH2-B[beta] (525-670)) and a tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide corresponding to the binding sequence of JAK2 were used as a model system. For peptide labeled with fluorescein, the [K.sub.d] = 82 [+ or -] 7 nM as measured by fluorescence anisotropy (FA). APCE assays had a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 nM or 12 amol injected for SH2-B[beta] (525-670). The separation time of 4 s, achieved using an electric field of 2860 V/cm on 7-cm-long capillaries, was on the same time scale as complex dissociation allowing [K.sub.d] (101 [+ or -] 12 nM in good agreement with FA measurements) and dissociation rate ([k.sub.off] = 0.95 [+ or -] 0.02 [s.sup.-1] corresponding to a half-life of 0.73 s) to be determined. This measurement represents a 30-fold higher rate of complex dissociation than what had previously been measurable by nonequilibrium CE analysis of equilibrium mixtures. Using FACE, the protein was detected with an LOD of 300 nM or 7.5 fmol injected. FACE was not used for determining [K.sub.d] or [k.sub.off]; however, this method provided better separation resolution for multiple forms of the protein than APCE. Both methods were found suitable for analysis of cell lysate. These results demonstrate that FACE and APCE may be useful complements to existing techniques for exploring binding interactions with rapid kinetics.

The adapter protein SH2B1 is recruited to neurotrophin receptors, including TrkB (also known as NTRK2), the receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Herein, we demonstrate that the four alternatively spliced isoforms of SH2B1 (SH2B1α--SH2B1δ) are important determinants of neuronal architecture and neurotrophininduced gene expression. Primary hippocampal neurons from Sh2b1-/- [knockout (KO)] mice exhibit decreased neurite complexity and length, and BDNF-induced expression of the synapse-related immediate early genes Egr1 and Arc. Reintroduction of each SH2B1 isoform into KO neurons increases neurite complexity; the brain-specific δ isoform also increases total neurite length. Human obesity-associated variants, when expressed in SH2B1δ, alter neurite complexity, suggesting that a decrease or increase in neurite branching may have deleterious effects that contribute to the severe childhood obesity and neurobehavioral abnormalities associated with these variants. Surprisingly, in contrast to SH2B1α, SH2B1β and SH2B1γ, which localize primarily in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane, SH2B1δ resides primarily in nucleoli. Some SH2B1δ is also present in the plasma membrane and nucleus. Nucleolar localization, driven by two highly basic regions unique to SH2B1δ, is required for SH2B1δ to maximally increase neurite complexity and BDNF-induced expression of Egr1, Arc and FosL1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I. INTRODUCTION Growth hormone (GH) has long been known to be an important determinant of longitudinal bone growth as evidenced by the short stature of GH-deficient children, tall stature of [...]

Mice lacking SH2B1 and humans with variants of SH2B1 display severe obesity and insulin resistance. SH2B1 is an adapter protein that is recruited to the receptors of multiple hormones and neurotrophic factors. Of the four known alternatively spliced SH2B1 isoforms, SH2B1β and SH2B1γ exhibit ubiquitous expression, whereas SH2B1α and SH2B1δ are essentially restricted to the brain. To understand the roles for SH2B1α and SH2B1δ in energy balance and glucose metabolism, we generated mice lacking these brain-specific isoforms (αδ knockout [αδKO] mice). αδKO mice exhibit decreased food intake, protection from weight gain on standard and high-fat diets, and an adiposity-dependent improvement in glucose homeostasis. SH2B1 has been suggested to impact energy balance via the modulation of leptin action. However, αδKO mice exhibit leptin sensitivity that is similar to that of wild-type mice by multiple measures. Thus, decreasing the abundance of SH2B1α and/or SH2B1δ relative to the other SH2B1 isoforms likely shifts energy balance toward a lean phenotype via a primarily leptin-independent mechanism. Our findings suggest that the different alternatively spliced isoforms of SH2B1 perform different functions in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruption of the adaptor protein SH2B1 (SH2-B, PSM) is associated with severe obesity, insulin resistance, and neurobehavioral abnormalities in mice and humans. Here, we identify 15 SH2B1 variants in severely obese children. Four obesity-associated human SH2B1 variants lie in the Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, suggesting that the PH domain is essential for SH2B1's function. We generated a mouse model of a human variant in this domain (P322S). P322S/P322S mice exhibited substantial prenatal lethality. Examination of the P322S/+ metabolic phenotype revealed late-onset glucose intolerance. To circumvent P322S/P322S lethality, mice containing a two-amino acid deletion within the SH2B1 PH domain (ΔP317, R318 [ΔPR]) were studied. Mice homozygous for ΔPR were born at the expected Mendelian ratio and exhibited obesity plus insulin resistance and glucose intolerance beyond that attributable to their increased adiposity. These studies demonstrate that the PH domain plays a crucial role in how SH2B1 controls energy balance and glucose homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scaffold protein SH2B1, a major regulator of body weight, is recruited to the receptors of multiple cytokines and growth factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF). The β isoform, but not the α isoform, of SH2B1 greatly enhances NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. Here we asked how the unique C-terminal tails of the α and β isoforms modulate SH2B1 function. We compared the actions of SH2B1α and SH2B1β to those of the N-terminal 631 amino acids shared by both isoforms. In contrast to the β-tail, the α-tail inhibited the ability of SH2B1 to both cycle through the nucleus and enhance NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth, gene expression, phosphorylation of Akt and PLCγ and autophosphorylation of the NGF receptor TrkA. These functions were restored when Tyr753 in the α-tail was mutated to phenylalanine. We provide evidence that TrkA phosphorylates Tyr753 in SH2B1α, as well as tyrosines 439 and 55 in both SH2B1α and SH2B1β. Finally, co-expression of SH2B1α, but not SH2B1α Y753F, inhibited the ability of SH2B1β to enhance neurite outgrowth. These results suggest that the C-terminal tails of SH2B1 isoforms are key determinants of the cellular role of SH2B1. Furthermore, the function of SH2B1α is regulated by phosphorylation of the α-tail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that growth hormone (GH) recruits the adapter protein SH2B1β to the GH-activated, GH receptorassociated tyrosine kinase JAK2, implicating SH2B1β in GH-dependent actin cytoskeleton remodeling, and suggesting that phosphorylation at serines 161 and 165 in SH2B1β releases SH2B1β from the plasma membrane. Here, we examined the role of SH2B1β in GH regulation of macrophage migration. We show that GH stimulates migration of cultured RAW264.7 macrophages, and primary cultures of peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages. SH2B1β overexpression enhances, whereas SH2B1 knockdown inhibits, GH-dependent motility of RAW macrophages. At least two independent mechanisms regulate the SH2B1β-mediated changes in motility. In response to GH, tyrosines 439 and 494 in SH2B1β are phosphorylated. Mutating these tyrosines in SH2B1β decreases both basal and GH-stimulated macrophage migration. In addition, mutating the polybasic nuclear localization sequence (NLS) in SH2B1β or creating the phosphomimetics SH2B1β(S161E) or SH2B1β(S165E), all of which release SH2B1β from the plasma membrane, enhances macrophage motility. Conversely, SH2B1β(S161/165A) exhibits increased localization at the plasma membrane and decreased macrophage migration. Mutating the NLS or the nearby serine residues does not alter GH-dependent phosphorylation on tyrosines 439 and 494 in SH2B1β. Mutating tyrosines 439 and 494 does not affect localization of SH2B1β at the plasma membrane or movement of SH2B1β into focal adhesions. Taken together, these results suggest that SH2B1β enhances GH-stimulated macrophage motility via mechanisms involving phosphorylation of SH2B1β on tyrosines 439 and 494 and movement of SH2B1β out of the plasma membrane (e.g. as a result of phosphorylation of serines 161 and 165). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tyrosine kinase JAK2 is a key signaling protein for at least 20 receptors in the cytokine/hematopoietin receptor superfamily and is a component of signaling by insulin receptor and several G-protein-coupled receptors. However, there is only limited knowledge of the physical structure of JAK2 or which of the 49 tyrosines in JAK2 are autophosphorylated. In this study, mass spectrometry and two-dimensional peptide mapping were used to determine that tyrosines 221, 570, and 1007 in JAK2 are autophosphorylated. Phosphorylation of tyrosine 570 is particularly robust. In response to growth hormone, JAK2 was rapidly and transiently phosphorylated at tyrosines 221 and 570, returning to basal levels by 60 min. Analysis of the sequences surrounding tyrosines 221 and 570 in JAK2 and tyrosines in other proteins that are phosphorylated in response to ligands that activate JAK2 suggests that the YXX[L/I/V] motif is one of the motifs recognized by JAK2. Experiments using JAK2 with tyrosines 221 and 570 mutated to phenylalanine suggest that tyrosines 221 and 570 in JAK2 may serve as regulatory sites in JAK2, with phosphorylation of tyrosine 221 increasing kinase activity and phosphorylation of tyrosine 570 decreasing kinase activity and thereby contributing to rapid termination of ligand activation of JAK2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tyrosine kinase Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) binds to the majority of the known members of the cytokine family of receptors. Ligand-receptor binding leads to activation of the associated JAK2 molecules, resulting in rapid autophosphorylation of multiple tyrosines within JAK2. Phosphotyrosines can then serve as docking sites for downstream JAK2 signaling molecules. Despite the importance of these phosphotyrosines in JAK2 function, only a few sites and binding partners have been identified. Using two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping and a phosphospecific antibody, we identified tyrosine 813 as a site of JAK2 autophosphorylation of overexpressed JAK2 and endogenous JAK2 activated by growth hormone. Tyrosine 813 is contained within a YXXL sequence motif associated with several other identified JAK2 phosphorylation sites. We show that phosphorylation of tyrosine 813 is required for the SH2 domain-containing adapter protein SH2-Bβ to bind JAK2 and to enhance the activity of JAK2 and STAT5B. The homologous tyrosine in JAK3, tyrosine 785, is autophosphorylated in response to interleukin-2 stimulation and is required for SH2-Bβ to bind JAK3. Taken together these data strongly suggest that tyrosine 813 is a site of autophosphorylation in JAK2 and is the SH2-Bβ-binding site within JAK2 that is required for SH2-Bβ to enhance activation of JAK2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifies JAK2, a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, as a growth hormone receptor (GHR)-associated tyrosine kinase. Growth hormone-dependent complex formation; Activation of JAK2 tyrosine kinase activity; Phosphorylation; Involvement of tyrosyl phosphorylation in physiological responses to ligands; Shared signaling mechanism among the cytokine/hematopoietin receptor family.

An intriguing question in cell biology is what targets proteins to, and regulates their translocation between, specific cellular locations. Here we report that the polybasic nuclear localization sequence (NLS) required for nuclear entry of the adapter protein and candidate human obesity gene product SH2B1β, also localizes SH2B1β to the plasma membrane (PM), most probably via electrostatic interactions. Binding of SH2B1β to the PM also requires its dimerization domain. Phosphorylation of serine residues near this polybasic region, potentially by protein kinase C, releases SH2B1β from the PM and enhances nuclear entry. Release of SH2B1β from the PM and/or nuclear entry appear to be required for SH2B1β enhancement of nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced expression of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor gene and neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. Taken together, our results provide strong evidence that the polybasic NLS region of SH2B1 serves the dual function of localizing SH2B1 to both the nucleus and the PM, the latter most probably through electrostatic interactions that are enhanced by SH2B1β dimerization. Cycling between the different cellular compartments is a consequence of the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of serine residues near the NLS and is important for physiological effects of SH2B1, including NGF-induced gene expression and neurite outgrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jak2, the cognate tyrosine kinase for numerous cytokine receptors, undergoes multisite phosphorylation during cytokine stimulation. To understand the role of phosphorylation in Jak2 regulation, we used mass spectrometry to identify numerous Jak2 phosphorylation sites and characterize their significance for Jak2 function. Two sites outside of the tyrosine kinase domain, Tyr317 in the FERM domain and Tyr637 in the JH2 domain, exhibited strong regulation of Jak2 activity. Mutation of Tyr317 promotes increased Jak2 activity, and the phosphorylation of Tyr317 during cytokine signaling requires prior activation loop phosphorylation, which is consistent with a role for Tyr317 in the feedback inhibition of Jak2 kinase activity after receptor stimulation. Comparison to several previously identified regulatory phosphorylation sites on Jak2 revealed a dominant role for Tyr317 in the attenuation of Jak2 signaling. In contrast, mutation of Tyr637 decreased Jak2 signaling and activity and partially suppressed the activating JH2 V617F mutation, suggesting a role for Tyr637 phosphorylation in the release of JH2 domain-mediated suppression of Jak2 kinase activity during cytokine stimulation. The phosphorylation of Tyr317 and Tyr637 act in concert with other regulatory events to maintain appropriate control of Jak2 activity and cytokine signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tyrosine kinase JAK2 is a key signaling protein for at least 20 receptors in the cytokine/hematopoietin receptor superfamily and is a component of signaling for multiple receptor tyrosine kinases and several G-protein-coupled receptors. In this study, phosphopeptide affinity enrichment and mass spectrometry identified serine 523 (Ser523) in JAK2 as a site of phosphorylation. A phosphoserine 523 antibody revealed that Ser523 is rapidly but transiently phosphorylated in response to growth hormone (GH). MEK1 inhibitor UO126 suppresses GH-dependent phosphorylation of Ser523, suggesting that extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) 1 and/or 2 or another kinase downstream of MEK1 phosphorylate Ser523 in response to GH. Other ERK activators, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and epidermal growth factor, also stimulate phosphorylation of Ser523. When Ser523 in JAK2 was mutated, JAK2 kinase activity as well as GH-dependent tyrosyl phosphorylation of JAK2 and Stat5 was enhanced, suggesting that phosphorylation of Ser523 inhibits JAK2 kinase activity. We hypothesize that phosphorylation of Ser523 in JAK2 by ERKs 1 and/or 2 or other as-yet-unidentified kinases acts in a negative feedback manner to dampen activation of JAK2 in response to GH and provides a mechanism by which prior exposure to environmental factors that regulate Ser523 phosphorylation might modulate the cell's response to GH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence anisotropy capillary electrophoresis (FACE) and affinity probe capillary electrophoresis (APCE) with laser-induced fluorescence detection were evaluated for analysis of peptide-protein interactions with rapid bind- big kinetics. The Src homology 2 domain of protein SH2- Bβ (SH2-Bβ (525-670)) and a tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide corresponding to the binding sequence of JAK2 were used as a model system. For peptide labeled with fluorescein, the Kd = 82 ± 7 mM as measured by fluorescence anisotropy (FA). APCE assays had a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 nM or 12 amol injected for SH2- Bβ (525-670). The separation time of 4 s, achieved using an electric field of 2860 V/cm on 7-cm-long capillaries, was on the same time scale as complex dissociation allowing Kd (101 ± 12 nM in good agreement with FA measurements) and dissociation rate (koff = 0.95 ± 0.02 s-1 corresponding to a half-life of 0.73 s) to be determined. This measurement represents a 30-fold higher rate of complex dissociation than what had previously been measurable by nonequilibrium CE analysis of equilibrium mixtures. Using FACE, the protein was detected with an LOD of 300 nM or 7.5 fmol injected. FACE was not used for determining Kd or koff; however, this method provided better separation resolution for multiple forms of the protein than APCE. Both methods were found suitable for analysis of cell lysate. These results demonstrate that FACE and APCE may be useful complements to existing techniques for exploring binding interactions with rapid kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tyrosine kinase Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is activated by many cytokine receptors, including receptors for GH, leptin, and erythropoietin. However, very few proteins have been identified as binding partners for JAK2. Using a yeast 2-hybrid screen, we identified steroid-sensitive gene-1 (SSG1)/coiled-coil domain-containing protein 80 (Ccdc80) as a JAK2-binding partner. We demonstrate that Ccdc80 preferentially binds activated, tyrosyl-phosphorylated JAK2 but not kinase-inactive JAK2 (K882E) in both yeast and mammalian systems. Ccdc80 is tyrosyl phosphorylated in the presence of JAK2. The binding of Ccdc80 to JAK2 occurs via 1 or more of the 3 DUDES/SRPX (DRO1-URB-DRS-Equarin-SRPUL/sushi repeat containing protein, x-linked) domain 5 domains of Ccdc80. Mutagenesis of the second DUDES domain suggests that the N-terminal third of the DUDES domain is sufficient for JAK2 binding. Ccdc80 does not alter the kinase activity of JAK2. However, Ccdc80 increases GH-dependent phosphorylation of Stat (signal transducer and activator of transcription) 5b on Tyr699 and substantially enhances both basal and GH-dependent phosphorylation/activation of Stat3 on Tyr705. Furthermore, Ccdc80 belongs to the group of proteins that function both in the intracellular compartment and are secreted. Secreted Ccdc80 associates with the extracellular matrix and is also found in the medium. A substantial portion of the Ccdc80 detected in the medium is cleaved. Finally, consistent with the DUDES domain serving as a JAK2-binding domain, we also demonstrate that another protein that contains a DUDES domain, SRPX2, binds preferentially to the activated tyrosyl-phosphorylated form of JAK2.

The adaptor protein SH2B1β participates in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton during processes such as cell migration and differentiation. Here, we identify SH2B1β as a new focal adhesion protein. We provide evidence that SH2B1β is phosphorylated in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced protein kinase C (PKC) activation and show that PMA induces a rapid redistribution of SH2B1β out of focal adhesions. We also show that growth hormone (GH) increases cycling of SH2B1β into and out of focal adhesions. Ser161 and Ser165 in SH2B1β fall within consensus PKC substrate motifs. Mutating these two serine residues into alanine residues abrogates PMA-induced redistribution of SH2B1β out of focal adhesions, decreases SH2B1β cycling into and out of focal adhesions in control and GH-stimulated cells, and increases the size of focal adhesions. By contrast, mutating Ser165 into a glutamate residue decreases the amount of SH2B1β in focal adhesions and increases the number of focal adhesions per cell. These results suggest that activation of PKC regulates SH2B1β focal adhesion localization through phosphorylation of Ser161 and/or Ser165. The finding that phosphorylation of SH2B1β increases the number of focal adhesions suggests a mechanism for the stimulatory effect on cell motility of SH2B1β.