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SH2 domain

The SH2 domain, or Src Homology 2 domain, is a compact protein module consisting of approximately 100 amino acids that specifically binds to phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-containing motifs on partner proteins, thereby facilitating targeted protein-protein interactions essential for signal transduction in eukaryotic cells.^[1] These domains are characterized by a conserved three-dimensional structure featuring a central antiparallel β-sheet flanked by two α-helices, which forms a specialized pTyr-binding pocket involving conserved residues such as an invariant arginine in the βB strand.^[2] First identified in 1986 through sequence analysis of the v-Src oncoprotein and related signaling molecules, the SH2 domain enables the recruitment of downstream effectors to activated tyrosine kinases, thereby propagating signals that regulate critical cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and immune responses.^[1] In the human proteome, there are approximately 110 SH2 domain-containing proteins, encoding around 120 individual SH2 domains, which collectively form a versatile network for interpreting tyrosine phosphorylation events in diverse signaling pathways such as those involving receptor tyrosine kinases (e.g., insulin receptor), adaptor proteins (e.g., Grb2), and transcription factors (e.g., STAT3).^[1] Binding specificity is determined by the pTyr residue anchoring in the central pocket and additional hydrophobic or charged interactions in a variable C-terminal specificity pocket, allowing SH2 domains to distinguish motifs like pYEEI (for PI3K p85) or pYVNV (for Grb2) with affinities typically in the micromolar to nanomolar range.^[2] While most SH2 domains adhere to this canonical architecture, atypical variants exhibit unique features, such as dual pTyr-binding sites in proteins like ZAP-70 or unphosphorylated tyrosine recognition in SAP/SH2D1A, expanding their roles beyond standard phosphotyrosine signaling to include transcription regulation and immune synapse formation.^[3] The functional significance of SH2 domains extends to disease pathology, particularly cancer and autoimmune disorders, where dysregulation of tyrosine kinase signaling—often through mutations or overexpression of SH2-containing proteins like Src or SHP2—drives uncontrolled cell growth.^[1] Consequently, SH2 domains have emerged as attractive therapeutic targets, with strategies including high-affinity peptidomimetics, allosteric inhibitors (e.g., SHP099 for SHP2 with IC₅₀ of 0.071 μM), and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) currently in preclinical and clinical development, such as the STAT3 inhibitor TTI-101, which is currently in Phase II trials for hepatocellular carcinoma (as of November 2025) but did not meet endpoints in a Phase II trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.^[2]^[4]^[5] These advances underscore the SH2 domain's pivotal role in both fundamental biology and precision medicine.^[1]

Discovery and History

Initial Identification

The SH2 domain was initially identified in 1986 through insertion-mutation analysis of the v-fps oncogene, which encodes the P130^gag-fps protein-tyrosine kinase of Fujinami sarcoma virus.^[6] Researchers Ian Sadowski, Jeffrey C. Stone, and Tony Pawson inserted oligonucleotide linkers into various regions of the v-fps coding sequence and assessed the impact on transforming activity in rat-2 cells. Insertions within a non-catalytic region of approximately 100 amino acids, located immediately N-terminal to the kinase domain, specifically abolished transformation and reduced tyrosine kinase activity in mammalian cells, while preserving catalytic function when expressed in Escherichia coli. This indicated that the domain, dubbed SH2 (for Src homology region 2), was essential for interactions with host cell components rather than intrinsic enzymatic activity. Sequence comparisons in the same study revealed that the SH2 domain was highly conserved across multiple cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinases, including the v-Src oncoprotein of Rous sarcoma virus and the v-Abl oncoprotein of Abelson murine leukemia virus, as well as v-Fgr and v-Yes.^[6] This conservation suggested a shared regulatory role in modulating kinase function and substrate interactions among these oncoproteins. Subsequent experimental confirmation in the late 1980s reinforced SH2 as a non-catalytic module critical for protein regulation, with deletions or mutations in the domain altering cellular transformation without disrupting kinase catalysis. For example, analogous insertion analyses in v-Src confirmed that SH2 influences kinase specificity and activity in vivo. Early studies explicitly connected the SH2 domain to tyrosine kinase signaling pathways, particularly in the Src family kinases. In 1988, Tony Pawson reviewed the emerging evidence that non-catalytic domains like SH2 serve as regulatory elements, enabling cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases to respond to cellular signals and control downstream events such as substrate phosphorylation. This work emphasized SH2's potential in coordinating kinase localization and activation within Src-related proteins. From 1986 to 1990, initial publications centered on SH2's role in viral oncogenes gave way to recognition of its broader involvement in cellular signal transduction. Key papers during this period, including functional assays in proto-oncogenes and early biochemical characterizations, demonstrated SH2's conservation across eukaryotic species, from yeast to mammals, underscoring its ancient and fundamental contribution to protein regulation.

Evolutionary Development

The SH2 domain exhibits ancient origins within eukaryotic evolution, predating the emergence of dedicated protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) networks. Ancestral SH2 domains are found in the transcription elongation factor Spt6, which is universally conserved across eukaryotes and binds phosphorylated serine (pSer) or threonine (pThr) residues on the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, rather than phosphotyrosine (pTyr).^[7] These proto-SH2 domains likely served as modular phospho-binding units in early unicellular eukaryotes, providing a structural scaffold that later adapted to recognize pTyr motifs as PTK activity evolved.^[7] While pTyr-specific SH2 domains are absent in fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae—possibly due to secondary loss under negative selection—these domains appear early in other eukaryotic lineages. The earliest characterized pTyr-binding SH2 domains occur in protozoans like Dictyostelium discoideum, where they are present in proteins such as STATc and CblA, facilitating developmental signaling.^[7] Similarly, choanoflagellates like Monosiga brevicollis encode a diverse set of 19 SH2 domain families, indicating pre-metazoan diversification.^[7] In metazoans, SH2 domains further expanded, integrating into broader phosphosignaling cascades. A rapid evolutionary expansion of SH2 domains occurred in vertebrates, culminating in the human genome, which encodes approximately 120 SH2 domains across 110 proteins.^[8] This proliferation was primarily driven by gene duplication events, including whole-genome duplications in early vertebrates, which allowed for the adaptation and specialization of SH2 domains within expanding pTyr signaling networks.^[7] Evolutionary mechanisms shaping SH2 diversity include the emergence of novel SH2 families through sequence divergence and the neofunctionalization or subfunctionalization of duplicated domains, as exemplified by adapters like SLAP (neofunctionalized from SRC family kinases) and NCK (subfunctionalized for distinct signaling roles).^[7] Subsequent bioinformatic analyses have reinforced these patterns, highlighting how SH2 domains integrated into modular protein architectures to enhance signaling specificity and complexity in higher eukaryotes.^[8]

Structural Features

Overall Architecture

The SH2 domain is a compact, globular protein module typically comprising around 100 amino acids, adopting an α+β fold that forms a central antiparallel β-sheet of five strands (βB to βF) flanked on one side by an N-terminal α-helix (αA) and on the other by a C-terminal α-helix (αB).^[2] This architecture creates a stable, modular scaffold without any catalytic activity, allowing the domain to be readily inserted into diverse multidomain proteins for regulatory functions.^[3] The conserved core includes key residues such as the FLVR motif in the βB strand, which contributes to the structural integrity of the fold by forming hydrophobic interactions that stabilize the β-sheet.^[9] Early crystallographic studies, such as the 1992 structure of the v-Src SH2 domain (PDB: 1SHB), revealed this conserved topology at atomic resolution, confirming the domain's compact dimensions of approximately 3 × 3 × 2 nm, which facilitate its integration into larger protein complexes without disrupting overall folding. Subsequent structures across SH2 variants have consistently shown this core fold, underscoring its evolutionary conservation despite sequence divergence.^[10] While the central β-sheet and α-helices form the invariant scaffold, variations primarily occur in the connecting loop regions, which can influence domain stability through differential packing or flexibility without altering the overall topology.^[11] These loops, often longer in certain SH2 domains, accommodate insertions of additional short β-strands (e.g., βA, βG) in some family members, enhancing structural robustness while preserving the modular nature essential for phosphotyrosine-mediated interactions.^[3]

Ligand Binding Site

The ligand binding site of the SH2 domain is characterized by a central pocket that specifically accommodates the phosphotyrosine (pTyr) moiety of ligands. A highly conserved arginine residue at position βB5 (Arg βB5) within the βB strand forms a bidentate salt bridge with the negatively charged phosphate group of pTyr, providing the primary electrostatic anchor for recognition. This interaction is invariant across SH2 domains and essential for high-affinity binding, as demonstrated in the crystal structure of the v-Src SH2 domain complexed with a phosphotyrosyl peptide.^[12] Adjacent to this pocket lies a hydrophobic cleft that engages the aromatic ring of the tyrosine residue, stabilizing the ligand through van der Waals contacts, while flexible loops such as the BC, CD, and EF loops interact with C-terminal residues beyond pTyr, particularly at positions +1 to +3. For instance, in Src-family SH2 domains, the +3 position often features a hydrophobic residue like isoleucine or leucine that fits into a specificity-determining pocket lined by residues from the βD strand and αB helix. These interactions contribute to sequence selectivity and are resolved in co-crystal structures, such as the Src SH2 domain with an 11-residue phosphopeptide (PDB: 1SPS), highlighting how the peptide adopts an extended conformation across the binding interface.^[13]^[14] Upon ligand binding, the SH2 domain undergoes localized conformational changes, particularly in the binding loops, to optimize interactions and enhance affinity. Comparison of apo and holo forms in crystal structures reveals rigidification of the pTyr-binding pocket and adjustments in the specificity loops, which can alter the domain's overall dynamics without disrupting the core β-sheet-α-helix scaffold. These changes are evident in high-resolution structures like that of the Lck SH2 domain with a PYEEI phosphopeptide (PDB: 1LKK).^[15] The affinity of SH2-pTyr interactions is modulated by environmental factors, including pH and ionic strength, owing to the electrostatic dominance of the salt bridge. At physiological pH, binding is optimal, but increases in salt concentration weaken affinity by shielding charges, while pH shifts affect the protonation state of the phosphate and nearby histidines. Typical dissociation constants (Kd) fall in the 0.1–10 μM range, reflecting moderate affinity suitable for transient signaling events.

Functional Mechanisms

Phosphotyrosine Recognition

The SH2 domain recognizes phosphotyrosine (pTyr) residues primarily through electrostatic interactions involving a highly conserved arginine residue, typically positioned at βB5 in the central β-sheet, which forms a salt bridge with the negatively charged phosphate group of pTyr.^[16] This interaction is complemented by a network of hydrogen bonds, where backbone amide groups from residues in the BC loop and nearby strands, such as Ser βB7 and Thr/Ser BC2, directly coordinate the phosphate oxygens, stabilizing the ligand in the binding pocket.^[17] These contacts ensure specific and high-affinity recognition, with the bidentate hydrogen bonding from the conserved arginine further enhancing the electrostatic complementarity.^[18] The overall binding affinity is governed by the Gibbs free energy change, expressed as \Delta G = \Delta H - T\Delta S, where the enthalpic term (\Delta H) dominates due to the favorable salt bridge and hydrogen bonding interactions between the phosphate and the arginine side chain.^[19] Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements for Src SH2 domain binding to high-specificity pTyr-containing peptides reveal \Delta H values around -38.7 kJ/mol, with small entropic contributions (T\Delta S \approx 1.4 kJ/mol at 25°C), indicating that the process is largely enthalpy-driven.^[19] Solvent exposure plays a critical role in the binding energetics, as both the pTyr phosphate and the positively charged pocket residues are hydrated in the unbound state, incurring desolvation penalties that contribute unfavorably to \Delta G.^[19] These penalties are offset by the formation of the salt bridge and hydrogen bonds upon complexation, though mass spectrometry and structural data show that some water molecules are retained or rearranged at the interface rather than fully expelled, minimizing the entropic gain from desolvation.^[19] Experimental validation comes from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which has elucidated the dynamic hydrogen bonding networks and conformational changes during pTyr accommodation, and ITC studies confirming the thermodynamic profile.^[20] Kinetic analyses indicate rapid association rates (k_{on} \sim 10^7 M^{-1} s^{-1}) approaching diffusion limits, with slower dissociation (k_{off} \sim 10^{-2} to $10^{-1} s^{-1}), enabling quick signaling responses while maintaining specificity.^[16]

Specificity Determinants

SH2 domains exhibit selectivity for specific phosphopeptide sequences beyond the conserved phosphotyrosine (pTyr) residue, primarily through variations in residues that form the specificity pocket adjacent to the pTyr-binding site. Seminal studies using oriented phosphopeptide libraries identified distinct consensus motifs for different SH2 domains, classifying them into major specificity groups based on preferences for residues at positions +1 to +4 relative to pTyr. For instance, one group, including the SH2 domains of Src, Fyn, Lck, and related kinases, preferentially binds motifs such as pY-E-E-I, where acidic residues at +1 and +2 and a hydrophobic isoleucine at +3 are favored.^[21] In contrast, another group, comprising domains from p85 (PI3K subunit), phospholipase C-γ, and SHP2, selects for pY-hydrophobic-X-hydrophobic patterns, with hydrophobic residues at +1 and +3 enhancing affinity.^[21] The Grb2 SH2 domain exemplifies a subclass with high selectivity for pY-E/Q-N-Ψ, where asparagine at +2 and a hydrophobic residue at +3 (Ψ) are critical.^[22] These classifications have been refined into three broader groups based on the residue at position βD5 in the specificity pocket, influencing interactions at +2, +3, or +4 positions.^[16] Key structural determinants of this specificity reside in variable positions within the SH2 domain, particularly βD1, the αA helix, and the +3 loop (also known as the BG loop), which line the hydrophobic or charged interactions in the specificity pocket. The βD1 residue, for example, modulates the shape of the +3 subpocket: an aromatic tyrosine at βD1 in Src-family SH2 domains accommodates bulky hydrophobic side chains like isoleucine at pY+3, while aliphatic isoleucine at βD1 in p85 alters the pocket to favor hydrophobic residues at pY+1.^[16] Residues in the αA helix, such as glycine in the SHP2 N-SH2 domain, provide flexibility to engage hydrophobic residues at pY-2 in certain contexts, contributing to broader selectivity.^[17] The +3 loop further tunes affinity through hydrophobic contacts; for instance, leucine at BG4 in Src stabilizes isoleucine at pY+3, whereas charged or polar substitutions in other domains repel non-preferred ligands.^[16] These variations ensure that SH2 domains from the same family, like the N- and C-terminal SH2 domains of SHP2, display distinct motifs involving preferences for large hydrophobic residues (e.g., Trp, Tyr) at pY+4 and/or pY+5 for N-SH2—enabling precise targeting in signaling networks.^[23] Quantitative models derived from peptide library screens underscore these determinants, revealing affinity hierarchies where optimal motifs bind with dissociation constants in the hundred nanomolar to low micromolar range, such as 100 nM for Src SH2 with pY-E-E-I.^[24] Mutations at these variable positions can switch specificity; for example, replacing threonine at EF1 in Src with serine shifts preference from pY+3 hydrophobic to pY+1 charged residues.^[25] Ligand binding to SH2 domains often induces allosteric conformational changes that propagate to adjacent domains, modulating overall protein function. In SHP2, phosphopeptide engagement by the N-SH2 domain triggers a shift from an autoinhibited state, releasing the phosphatase domain through rigid-body movements and increased dynamics in interdomain linkers.^[26] Similarly, in PLCγ1, binding rigidifies the pTyr pocket while enhancing flexibility in the specificity region, fine-tuning interactions with downstream effectors.^[16] These effects ensure coordinated signaling without altering the core SH2 fold.

Biological Roles

In Signal Transduction

The SH2 domain serves as a critical adaptor in signal transduction pathways initiated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), facilitating the recruitment of downstream effectors to sites of tyrosine autophosphorylation. Upon ligand-induced dimerization and activation of RTKs such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), intracellular tyrosine residues become phosphorylated, creating high-affinity binding sites for SH2 domains. This recruitment is exemplified by the adaptor protein GRB2, whose SH2 domain binds to phosphorylated EGFR, thereby linking the receptor to guanine nucleotide exchange factors like SOS and activating the Ras-MAPK cascade for cell proliferation and survival signals.^[27] Similarly, the regulatory subunit p85 of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) employs its SH2 domains to dock onto phosphotyrosines on activated RTKs or adaptor proteins, triggering PI3K lipid kinase activity and subsequent activation of the Akt pathway to promote metabolic and anti-apoptotic responses.^[28] In multi-domain signaling proteins, SH2 domains enable modular assembly of complexes that propagate specific branches of transduction pathways. A prominent example is phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ), where tandem SH2 domains bind to phosphotyrosine motifs on RTKs like platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), recruiting PLCγ to the plasma membrane for tyrosine phosphorylation by the receptor. This activation stimulates PLCγ's enzymatic hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG), mobilizing intracellular calcium and activating protein kinase C for diverse cellular responses including secretion and contraction.^[29] The specificity of SH2 domains in such contexts ensures selective pathway engagement based on the surrounding amino acid sequence of the phosphotyrosine site.^[30] SH2 domains also mediate negative feedback in signal transduction through recruitment of protein tyrosine phosphatases. For instance, the SH2 domains of SHP-1 (PTPN6) bind to inhibitory phosphotyrosine motifs on immune receptors or adaptors, positioning the phosphatase catalytic domain to dephosphorylate RTKs and downstream targets, thereby dampening signaling in hematopoietic cells to prevent excessive activation.^[31] Likewise, SHP-2 (PTPN11), despite its occasional positive roles, utilizes its SH2 domains to access and dephosphorylate substrates in RTK complexes, providing temporal control and signal termination in pathways like MAPK.^[32] A key quantitative aspect of SH2 function is the promotion of signaling amplification via molecular clustering. By binding multiple phosphotyrosines on oligomerized RTKs, SH2-containing proteins concentrate effectors in localized membrane nanodomains, significantly elevating effective local concentrations compared to solution-phase interactions, thereby enhancing enzymatic efficiencies and pathway robustness without requiring additional energy input.^[33]

Disease Associations

Mutations in the SH2 domain of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) are associated with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by impaired B-cell development and function.^[34] For instance, a point mutation in the BTK SH2 domain, such as R288W, disrupts phosphotyrosine binding and downstream signaling in B cells, leading to arrested maturation at the pre-B cell stage and severe hypogammaglobulinemia.^[35] These mutations impair the recruitment of BTK to immune receptor complexes, preventing activation of pathways essential for B-cell antigen receptor signaling and antibody production.^[36] Oncogenic activation of Src family kinases through SH2 domain dysregulation contributes to leukemogenesis by promoting uncontrolled cell proliferation and survival. The Y527F mutation serves as a model for constitutive Src kinase activity by preventing inhibitory phosphorylation at the C-terminal tyrosine and disrupting intramolecular SH2 domain binding to the tail, mimicking the hyperactive Src observed in leukemias such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia.^[37] This hyperactive Src enhances downstream pathways like PI3K-AKT and MAPK, fostering leukemic cell transformation and resistance to apoptosis.^[38] Gain-of-function mutations in the SH2 domain-containing phosphatase SHP2 (encoded by PTPN11) are implicated in developmental disorders and hematologic malignancies. The E76K mutation in the N-SH2 domain stabilizes the open conformation of SHP2, enhancing its phosphatase activity and leading to hyperactivation of RAS-MAPK signaling in Noonan syndrome, which affects approximately 50% of cases and predisposes individuals to cardiac defects and short stature.^[39] In juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), the same E76K variant promotes uncontrolled myeloid proliferation by amplifying growth factor-independent signaling through receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs).^[40] Recent studies have linked SHP2 dysregulation to colorectal cancer progression via altered RTK signaling and immune checkpoint modulation. In colorectal tumors, SHP2 overexpression or activating mutations sustain RTK pathways like EGFR, driving metastasis and therapeutic resistance, while also suppressing antitumor immunity by enhancing PD-1 signaling in the tumor microenvironment.^[41] Studies on SHP2 expression in colorectal cancer show variable associations with prognosis, with some indicating high expression linked to improved survival as of 2025.^[42]

Research Applications

Biophysical and Engineering Studies

SH2 domains have been extensively characterized using biophysical techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and X-ray crystallography to profile their binding affinities to phosphopeptides. SPR enables real-time measurement of kinetic and equilibrium binding constants, revealing dissociation constants (K_D) in the micromolar to nanomolar range for high-affinity interactions, such as those between the Lck SH2 domain and specific phosphotyrosyl peptides. X-ray crystallography provides atomic-level insights into the binding interface, as demonstrated by structures of the N-SH2 domain of SHP2 complexed with phosphopeptides, which highlight conserved hydrogen bonding networks involving the phosphotyrosine residue and specificity pockets. These methods have facilitated the development of sequence-to-affinity models, where multi-round peptide binding assays combined with free-energy regression predict binding strengths with improved accuracy, achieving correlation coefficients above 0.8 for domains like Lyn SH2. For instance, studies have employed optimization techniques to refine these models, enabling prediction of novel phosphosite targets based on sequence motifs. Fluorescence polarization (FP) assays have become a cornerstone for high-throughput screening of phosphopeptide interactions with SH2 domains, offering a label-free, solution-based approach to quantify binding affinities and specificities. In FP setups, fluorescently tagged phosphopeptides exhibit changes in polarization upon binding to immobilized SH2 domains, allowing rapid assessment of dissociation constants for hundreds of variants in 96-well formats. This technique has been applied to profile interactions across multiple SH2 domains, such as the comprehensive mapping of 93 human SH2 domains against phosphopeptide libraries, which identified affinity thresholds below 10 μM for functional partners. A seminal 2012 study utilized FP to characterize binary interactions between SH2 domains and ErbB receptor phosphotyrosines, demonstrating its utility in dissecting signaling network specificity. Deep mutational scanning (DMS) of SHP2, which contains tandem N- and C-SH2 domains, has mapped mutational tolerance landscapes and revealed allosteric effects regulating phosphatase activity. DMS on full-length SHP2 and its isolated phosphatase domain has assessed variants, identifying residues in the SH2 domains that modulate inter-domain communication and catalytic efficiency, with certain mutations enhancing activity through relief of autoinhibition. These scans highlighted allosteric hotspots, such as positions in the N-SH2 domain that propagate effects to the PTP domain, providing a comprehensive view of regulatory mechanisms. Protein engineering of SH2 domains has enabled the creation of modular switches for synthetic biology applications, particularly through fusions that couple phosphotyrosine recognition to kinase or phosphatase activity. Rational design efforts have fused SH2 variants to kinase domains via flexible linkers, forming optogenetic-responsive switches that activate phosphorylation cascades upon light-induced phosphopeptide recruitment, achieving dynamic range in cellular signaling. Similarly, engineering SHP2-like tandems with phosphatase modules has produced synthetic networks that rewire endogenous pathways, as in modular assemblies where SH2-mediated binding toggles enzymatic output in response to orthogonal inputs. These constructs exemplify how SH2 specificity can be harnessed to build programmable signaling circuits, with binding affinities tuned via directed evolution to match desired thresholds.

Therapeutic Targeting

Drug discovery efforts targeting SH2 domains have primarily focused on the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 (PTPN11), whose N-SH2 domain plays a critical role in autoinhibition and allosteric activation, making it a promising site for inhibitors in oncology. Structure-based virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations in 2024 identified small-molecule inhibitors like irinotecan (CID 60838) that bind the N-SH2 phosphotyrosine pocket with high affinity (binding free energy of -8.94 kcal/mol), disrupting interactions with key residues such as Arg32 and preventing the conformational shift required for SHP2 activation.^[43] Structure-guided optimization of allosteric inhibitors has yielded potent compounds that stabilize the autoinhibited state by occupying the tunnel-shaped pocket at the N-SH2/PTP interface, enhancing selectivity over related phosphatases and showing synergistic antitumor effects in acute myeloid leukemia models when combined with MCL-1 inhibitors.^[44] Allosteric SHP2 inhibitors, such as TNO155 (batoprotafib), have advanced to clinical evaluation for receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-driven cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). TNO155 binds the allosteric site to lock SHP2 in its inactive conformation, suppressing ERK phosphorylation and EphA2-mediated migration in EGFR-mutant and ALK-rearranged NSCLC cell lines at concentrations as low as 1 µM.^[45] As of November 2025, TNO155 is in phase 1/2 trials (e.g., NCT04699188) in combination with immunotherapy for advanced solid tumors, including NSCLC, demonstrating acceptable safety, target engagement, and preliminary antitumor activity in RTK-altered cohorts, with ongoing phase 2 expansions evaluating efficacy in KRAS G12C-mutant NSCLC alongside adagrasib (NCT05358249, phase 1/2 ongoing).^[46] In colorectal cancer (CRC), TNO155 features in active phase 1/2 trials (e.g., NCT04699188 with tislelizumab), where it reprograms the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and enhances RTK signaling blockade, yielding objective responses in molecularly selected patients.^[47] Peptide mimetics and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) leverage the SH2-phosphotyrosine (pTyr) interface for selective inhibition or degradation of SH2-containing proteins. High-affinity peptide-based inhibitors targeting the SHP2 N-SH2 domain have been developed, blocking oncogenic variants associated with diseases like juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) without affecting wild-type SHP2. For degradation strategies, structure-based designs have introduced covalent ligands that exploit SH2 domains' pTyr-binding pockets to inhibit E3 ligase activity and recruit substrates for targeted ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, offering potential for antitumor applications in immune-related disorders.^[48] Key challenges in SH2-targeted therapies include achieving oral bioavailability and isoform selectivity amid off-target effects on related SH2 domains, compounded by resistance mechanisms like SHP2 mutations (e.g., G503V).^[41] Advances from 2023 to 2025 have addressed these through allosteric inhibitors like TNO155, which exhibit >90% oral bioavailability and >100-fold selectivity for SHP2 over PTP1B, enabling effective combination regimens in CRC trials that overcome AKT reactivation and improve progression-free survival in RTK-driven subsets.^[47] While covalent approaches remain exploratory for SHP2, their integration with pTyr mimetics in PROTACs holds promise for enhancing durability in CRC therapy. Recent preclinical work on PROTACs targeting STAT3 SH2 domains shows promise for degrading oncogenic STAT3 in solid tumors.^[49]

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[29]
Stability and peptide binding specificity of Btk SH2 domain - PubMed
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is caused by mutations in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). The absence of functional Btk leads to failure of B-cell ...
[30]
Role of c-Src in Carcinogenesis and Drug Resistance - MDPI
c-Src is a crucial player in the pathogenesis of cancer in both humans and other animals. It activates several proteins in cancer development.
[31]
Src Activation Plays an Important Key Role in Lymphomagenesis ...
Inhibition of Src by dasatinib can significantly reduce growth of FGFR1 fusion–associated leukemia cells in vitro and delays their tumorigenesis in vivo. Our ...
[32]
Gain-of-function mutations in the protein tyrosine phosphatase ...
Catalytically activating mutations in Ptpn11, which encodes the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, cause 50% of Noonan Syndrome (NS) cases, ...
[33]
Prognostic, therapeutic, and mechanistic implications of a mouse ...
Germline Shp2 mutations cause Noonan Syndrome (NS), which is associated with increased risk of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). Somatic Shp2 ...
[34]
Targeting SHP2: Dual breakthroughs in colorectal cancer therapy ...
Jul 15, 2025 · Targeting SHP2 represents a dual therapeutic strategy in CRC: It concurrently regulates RTK signaling and reprograms the immunosuppressive TME.
[35]
SHP-2-induced M2 polarization of tumor associated macrophages ...
Jan 25, 2023 · In colon cancer, SHP-2 expression is significantly reduced in colon tumor tissues when compared with normal colon tissues, and SHP2 expression ...
[36]
Determination of promising inhibitors for N-SH2 domain of SHP2 ...
May 13, 2024 · In this study, we report the identification of a potential small molecule inhibitor for the N-SH2 domain of SHP2 by structure-based drug discovery approach.
[37]
Structure-Guided Expansion Strategy Unveils Potent Allosteric ...
Jul 21, 2025 · Under basal conditions, the SHP2 activity is autoinhibited, wherein the N-SH2 domain sterically blocks the catalytic PTP site (Figure 1b).
[38]
Allosteric SHP2 inhibitors suppress lung cancer cell migration by ...
Oct 22, 2025 · Several allosteric SHP2 inhibitors, including TNO155, have been highly effective, particularly in RAS-MAPK pathway-driven cancers and are ...
[39]
NCT04330664 | Adagrasib in Combination With TNO155 in Patients ...
This study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, drug levels, molecular effects, and clinical activity of MRTX849 in combination with TNO155 in patients with ...Missing: II | Show results with:II
[40]
Targeting SHP2: Dual breakthroughs in colorectal cancer therapy ...
Jul 15, 2025 · Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating SHP2 inhibitor-based combination therapies, such as TNO155 (NCT04294160, NCT04330664, NCT04699188) ...
[41]
Targeting Oncogenic Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing ...
Oct 29, 2021 · In general, SH2 domains are only moderately discriminating for binding target sequences, and a range of residues is tolerated at each site. (44, ...
[42]
Structure-based design of a phosphotyrosine-masked covalent ...
Oct 10, 2023 · Here, we use structure-based design to target the SH2 domain of the E3 ligase suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2).