En bloc substitution of the Src homology region 2 domain activates the transforming potential of the c-Abl protein tyrosine kinase.

Src homology region 2 (SH2) domains are present in many proteins involved in signal transduction. In nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases the SH2 domain has been implicated in regulation of tyrosine kinase activity and in mediating interactions involved in downstream signaling. Different SH2 domains exhibit distinct binding specificities for both phosphotyrosine- and phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-containing proteins. We show that different SH2 domains are not functionally equivalent within the context of the c-ABL1b protooncogene. c-ABL1b, altered by replacement of its SH2 domain with the N-terminal SH2 domain of Ras GTPase-activating protein, exhibited activated transforming capability, caused intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation of p62, and was relocalized from nucleus to cytoplasm. This en bloc substitution apparently uncouples two distinct functions of the SH2 domain so that c-ABL escapes normal regulatory control while it retains the capability to elicit signals that promote transformation. The SH2 domain of the ARG protein tyrosine kinase, which shares high amino acid-sequence homology with the SH2 domain of ABL, was less effective in activating the oncogenic potential of c-ABL. The effects that the N-terminal SH2 domain of Ras GTPase-activating protein has in the context of c-ABL resemble the effects of deleting the SH3 domain. Thus, the SH2 and SH3 domains may have coordinate roles as regulatory control elements within the context of c-ABL.     

The Src homology 2 domain of the protein-tyrosine kinase p56lck mediates both intermolecular and intramolecular interactions.

A key event in signaling by many cell surface receptors is the activation of Src-like protein-tyrosine kinases and the assembly of protein complexes at the plasma membrane mediated by Src homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) domains. p56lck is a Src-related protein-tyrosine kinase which has SH2 and SH3 domains and is involved in T-cell signaling and oncogenic transformation. Here we demonstrate that purified recombinant SH2 and HSH3/SH2 domains of p56lck can mediate intermolecular interactions with a number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins present in lysates of NIH 3T3 cells transformed by a constitutively activated form of p56lck (p56lckF505). Two of the interacting tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were identified as the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the GTPase-activating protein of p21ras. Using a synthetic phosphopeptide corresponding to the tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of p56lck (amino acids 494-509), purified recombinant Lck SH2 domain, and differentially phosphorylated forms of p56lck we provide evidence that the SH2 domain of p56lck can also mediate intramolecular interactions with the phosphorylated carboxyl terminus. Together these results suggest that the SH2 domain of p56lck has a dual function: (i) it can mediate intermolecular interactions with cellular proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine and thus might be involved in building up signaling complexes at the plasma membrane and (ii) it can bind to the tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of p56lck in an intramolecular fashion and thereby might be involved in the regulation of its intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity. Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the regulatory tyrosine residue 505 might serve as a switch between these two functions.     

Involvement of pp60c-src with two major signaling pathways in human breast cancer.

The phosphotyrosine residues of receptor tyrosine kinases serve as unique binding sites for proteins involved in intracellular signaling, which contain SRC homology 2 (SH2) domains. Since overexpression or activation of the pp60c-src kinase has been reported in a number of human tumors, including primary human breast carcinomas, we examined the interactions of the SH2 and SH3 domains of human SRC with target proteins in human carcinoma cell lines. Glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing either the SH2, SH3, or the entire SH3/SH2 region of human SRC were used to affinity purify tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins from human breast carcinoma cell lines. We show here that in human breast carcinoma cell lines, the SRC SH2 domain binds to activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p185HER2/neu. SRC SH2 binding to EGFR was also observed in a nontumorigenic cell line after hormone stimulation. Endogenous pp60c-src was found to tightly associate with tyrosine-phosphorylated EGFR. Association of the SRC SH2 with the EGFR was blocked by tyrosyl phosphopeptides containing the sequences surrounding tyrosine-530, the regulatory site in the SRC C terminus, or sequences surrounding the major sites of autophosphorylation in the EGFR. These results raise the possibility that association of pp60c-src with these receptor tyrosine kinases is an integral part of the signaling events mediated by these receptors and may contribute to malignant transformation.     

Analysis of receptor signaling pathways by mass spectrometry: identification of vav-2 as a substrate of the epidermal and platelet-derived growth factor receptors

Oligomerization of receptor protein tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by their cognate ligands leads to activation of the receptor. Transphosphorylation of the receptor subunits is followed by the recruitment of signaling molecules containing src homology 2 (SH2) or phosphotyrosine interaction domains (PID). Additionally, several cytoplasmic proteins that may or may not associate with the receptor undergo tyrosine phosphorylation. To identify several components of the EGFR signaling pathway in a single step, we have immunoprecipitated molecules that are tyrosine phosphorylated in response to EGF and analyzed them by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Combining matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) led to the identification of nine signaling molecules, seven of which had previously been implicated in EGFR signaling. Several of these molecules were identified from low femtomole levels of protein loaded onto the gel. We identified Vav-2, a recently discovered guanosine nucleotide exchange factor that is expressed ubiquitously, as a substrate of the EGFR. We demonstrate that Vav-2 is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues in response to EGF and associates with the EGFR in vivo. Binding of Vav-2 to the EGFR is mediated by the SH2 domain of Vav-2. In keeping with its ubiquitous expression, Vav-2 seems to be a general signaling molecule, since it also associates with the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation in fibroblasts upon PDGF stimulation. The strategy suggested here can be used for routine identification of downstream components of cell surface receptors in mammalian cells.     

Shc proteins are phosphorylated and regulated by the v-Src and v-Fps protein-tyrosine kinases.

The mammalian shc gene encodes two overlapping proteins of 46 and 52 kDa, each with a C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain and an N-terminal glycine/proline-rich sequence, that induce malignant transformation when overexpressed in mouse fibroblasts. p46shc, p52shc, and an additional 66-kDa shc gene product become highly tyrosine phosphorylated in Rat-2 cells transformed by the v-src or v-fps oncogene. Experiments using temperature-sensitive v-src and v-fps mutants indicate that Shc tyrosine phosphorylation is rapidly induced upon activation of the v-Src or v-Fps tyrosine kinases. These results suggest that Shc proteins may be directly phosphorylated by the v-Src and v-Fps oncoproteins in vivo. In cells transformed by v-src or v-fps, or in normal cells stimulated with epidermal growth factor, Shc proteins complex with a poorly phosphorylated 23-kDa polypeptide (p23). Activated tyrosine kinases therefore regulate the association of Shc proteins with p23 and may thereby control the stimulation of an Shc-mediated signal transduction pathway. The efficient phosphorylation of Shc proteins and the apparent induction of their p23-binding activity in v-src- and v-fps-transformed cells are consistent with the proposition that the SH2-containing Shc polypeptides are biologically relevant substrates of the oncogenic v-Src and v-Fps tyrosine kinases.     

Phosphotyrosine-independent binding of a 62-kDa protein to the src homology 2 (SH2) domain of p56lck and its regulation by phosphorylation of Ser-59 in the lck unique N-terminal region.

A previously undescribed 62-kDa protein (p62) that does not contain phosphotyrosine but, nevertheless, binds specifically to the isolated src homology 2 (SH2) domain of p56lck has been identified. The additional presence of the unique N-terminal region of p56lck prevents p62 binding to the SH2 domain. However, phosphorylation at Ser-59 (or alternatively, its mutation to Glu) reverses the inhibition and allows interaction of the p56lck SH2 domain with p62. Moreover, p62 is associated with a serine/threonine kinase activity and also binds to ras GTPase-activating protein, a negative regulator of the ras signaling pathway. Thus, phosphotyrosine-independent binding of p62 to the p56lck SH2 domain appears to provide an alternative pathway for p56lck signaling that is regulated by Ser-59 phosphorylation.     

Rapid T-cell receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of p120, an Fyn/Lck Src homology 3 domain-binding protein.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins is the earliest identifiable event following T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulation and is essential for activating downstream signaling machinery. Two Src-family protein-tyrosine kinases, the TCR-associated p59fyn (Fyn) and the CD4/8-associated p56lck (Lck), have emerged as the likely mediators of early tyrosine phosphorylation in T cells. Here, we show direct binding of a 120-kDa TCR-induced phosphotyrosyl polypeptide, p120, to glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins of the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of Fyn, Lck, and p60src (Src) but not other proteins. While binding of p120 to Fyn SH2 domain was phosphotyrosine-dependent as expected, its binding to the SH3 domain was independent of tyrosine phosphorylation, as shown by lack of competition with a phosphotyrosyl competitor peptide. In contrast, an SH3-specific proline-rich peptide completely abolished p120 binding to SH3. p120 was tyrosine-phosphorylated within 10 sec following stimulation of Jurkat cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, with maximal phosphorylation at 30 sec. Importantly, p120 was found associated with Fyn and Lck proteins in unstimulated Jurkat cells and served as an in vitro substrate for these kinases. These results provide evidence for a role of the SH3 domains of Fyn and Lck in the recruitment of early tyrosine-phosphorylation substrates to the TCR-associated tyrosine kinases.     

The noncatalytic src homology region 2 segment of abl tyrosine kinase binds to tyrosine-phosphorylated cellular proteins with high affinity.

Several proteins implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation contain a common noncatalytic domain, src homology region 2 (SH2). We have used the bacterially expressed SH2 domain of abl protein-tyrosine kinase to evaluate the ability of this domain to bind to cellular proteins. ablSH2 specifically bound to a number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins from cells transformed by tyrosine kinase oncogenes in a filter-binding assay and to a subset of those proteins in solution. The SH2 probe bound almost exclusively to tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, and binding was eliminated by dephosphorylation of cell proteins. Free phosphotyrosine could partially disrupt SH2 binding, suggesting that phosphotyrosine is directly involved in the binding interaction. These results demonstrate that an SH2 domain is sufficient to confer direct, high-affinity phosphotyrosine-dependent binding to proteins and suggest a general role for SH2 domains in cellular signaling pathways.     

Sam68 is a docking protein linking GAP and PI3K in insulin receptor signaling

The 68 kDa Src substrate associated during mitosis (Sam68) is an RNA binding protein with Src homology (SH) 2 and 3 domain binding sites. We have recently found that Sam68 is a substrate of the insulin receptor (IR) and that Tyr-phosphorylated Sam68 associates with the SH2 domains of p85 PI3K. In the present work, using HTC-IR cells, we have found that insulin stimulation promotes the relocalization of Sam68 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and we have further studied the role of Sam68 in insulin receptor signaling complexes, by co-precipitating experiments. Thus, Sam68 is co-precipitated with p85 PI3K, IRS-1 and IR. The association of Sam68 with these complexes is mediated by the SH2 domains of PI3K. Moreover, we have found that Sam68 is a p120GAP associated protein after Tyr-phosphorylation by the IR. This association is mediated by the SH2 domains of GAP (preferentially the C-terminal SH2). Thus, Sam68 is linking p120GAP to PI3K signaling pathway. In fact, PI3K activity was increased in both anti-Sam68 and anti-GAP immmunoprecipitates upon insulin stimulation. We propose that the recruitment of the docking protein Sam68 to the PI3K pathway may serve to allow the association of other signaling molecules, i.e. p120GAP. In this way, these signaling complexes may modulate other signaling cascades of IR, such as p21Ras pathway.     

A novel SH2-containing phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase (SHIP2) is constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with src homologous and collagen gene (SHC) in chronic myelogenous leukemia progenitor cells

Because of the probable causal relationship between constitutive p210(bcr/abl) protein tyrosine kinase activity and manifestations of chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML; myeloid expansion), a key goal is to identify relevant p210 substrates in primary chronic-phase CML hematopoietic progenitor cells. We describe here the purification and mass spectrometric identification of a 155-kD tyrosine phosphorylated protein associated with src homologous and collagen gene (SHC) from p210(bcr/abl)-expressing hematopoietic cells as SHIP2, a recently reported, unique SH2-domain-containing protein closely related to phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase SHIP. In addition to an N-terminal SH2 domain and a central catalytic region, SHIP2 (like SHIP1) possesses both potential PTB(NPXY) and SH3 domain (PXXP) binding motifs. Thus, two unique 5-ptases with striking structural homology are coexpressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells. Stimulation of human hematopoietic growth factor responsive cell lines with stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) demonstrate the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP2 and its resulting association with SHC. This finding suggests that SHIP2, like that reported for SHIP1 previously, is linked to downstream signaling events after activation of hematopoietic growth factor receptors. However, using antibodies specific to these two proteins, we demonstrate that, whereas SHIP1 and SHIP2 selectively hydrolyze PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in vitro, only SHIP1 hydrolyzes soluble Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. Such an enzymatic difference raises the possibility that SHIP1 and SHIP2 may serve different functions. Preliminary binding studies using lysates from p210(bcr/abl)-expressing cells indicate that both Ptyr SHIP2 and Ptyr SHIP1 bind to the PTB domain of SHC but not to its SH2 domain. Interestingly, SHIP2 was found to selectively bind to the SH3 domain of ABL, whereas SHIP1 selectively binds to the SH3 domain of Src. Furthermore, in contrast to SHIP1, SHIP2 did not bind to either the N-terminal or C-terminal SH3 domains of GRB2. These observations suggest (1) that SHIP1 and SHIP2 may have a different hierarchy of binding SH3 containing proteins and therefore may modulate different signaling pathways and/or localize to different cellular compartments and (2) that they may be substrates for tyrosine phosphorylation by different tyrosine kinases. Because recent evidence has clearly implicated both PI(3,4, 5)P3 and PI(3,4)P2 in growth factor-mediated signaling, our finding that both SHIP1 and SHIP2 are constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated in CML primary hematopoietic progenitor cells may thus have important implications in p210(bcr/abl)-mediated myeloid expansion.     

Isolation of a src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase.

Tyrosine phosphorylation is controlled by the opposing actions of tyrosine kinases and phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). src homology 2 domains (SH2) are found in several types of signaling proteins, including some tyrosine kinases. These domains bind phosphotyrosyl proteins and thus help promote signal transduction. Using mixed oligonucleotide-directed polymerase chain reactions, two previously undescribed rat PTP cDNA fragments were generated. Through subsequent screening of rat megakaryocyte and human erythroleukemia libraries, we obtained a full-length coding sequence for one of these fragments. This cDNA, SH-PTP1, encodes a tyrosine phosphatase containing two highly conserved SH2 domains. SH-PTP1, with a 2.4-kilobase mRNA, a predicted open reading frame of 595 amino acids, and a structure suggesting a nontransmembrane protein, is expressed primarily in hematopoietic and epithelial cells. When expressed in Escherichia coli, SH-PTP1 possesses PTP activity. The structure of SH-PTP1 establishes an additional branch of the tyrosine phosphatase family and suggests mechanisms through which tyrosine phosphatases might participate in signal transduction pathways.     

Cloning and characterization of a lymphoid-specific, inducible human protein tyrosine phosphatase, Lyp

Protein tyrosine phosphatases act in conjunction with protein kinases to regulate the tyrosine phosphorylation events that control cell activation and differentiation. We have isolated a previously undescribed human phosphatase, Lyp, that encodes an intracellular 105-kD protein containing a single tyrosine phosphatase catalytic domain. The noncatalytic domain contains four proline-rich potential SH3 domain binding sites and an NXXY motif that, if phosphorylated, may be recognized by phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains. Comparison of the Lyp amino acid sequence with other known proteins shows 70% identity with the murine phosphatase PEP. The human Lyp gene was localized to chromosome 1p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. We also identified an alternative spliced form of Lyp RNA, Lyp2. This isoform encodes a smaller 85-kD protein with an alternative C-terminus. The lyp phosphatases are predominantly expressed in lymphoid tissues and cells, with Lyp1 being highly expressed in thymocytes and both mature B and T cells. Increased Lyp1 expression can be induced by activation of resting peripheral T lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin or anti-CD3. Lyp1 was found to be constitutively associated with the proto-oncogene c-Cbl in thymocytes and T cells. Overexpression of lyp1 reduces Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that it may be a substrate of the phosphatase. Thus, Lyp may play a role in regulating the function of Cbl and its associated protein kinases.     

Direct analysis of the binding of Src-homology 2 domains of phospholipase C to the activated epidermal growth factor receptor.

A number of proteins involved in intracellular signaling contain regions of homology to the product of the src oncogene that are termed Src-homology (SH) 2 domains. SH2 domains are believed to mediate the association of these proteins with various tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors in a growth factor-dependent manner. We have examined the kinetic characteristics of one of these interactions, the binding of the SH2 domains of phospholipase C gamma 1 with the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF). Bacterial fusion proteins were prepared containing the two SH2 domains of PLC gamma 1 and labeled metabolically with [35S]methionine/cysteine. A fusion protein containing both SH2 domains bound to the purified EGF receptor from EGF-treated cells, whereas no binding to receptors from control cells was detected. Binding was rapid, reaching apparent equilibrium by 10 min. Dissociation of the complex occurred only in the presence of excess unlabeled SH2 protein and exhibited two kinetic components. Similarly, analysis of apparent equilibrium binding revealed a nonlinear Scatchard plot, further indicating complex binding kinetics that may reflect cooperative behavior. The binding of the fusion protein containing both SH2 domains was inhibited by a fusion protein containing only the amino-terminal SH2 domain, although at concentrations an order of magnitude higher than that observed with the complete fusion protein. Fusion proteins containing SH2 domains from the GTPase-activating protein, the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, or the Abl oncoprotein competed less effectively. Binding of the PLC gamma 1 SH2 fusion protein to a mutant EGF receptor lacking the two carboxyl-terminal tyrosine phosphorylation sites exhibited a significantly lower affinity than that observed with the wild type, suggesting that this region of the receptor may play an important role. This binding assay represents a means with which to evaluate the pleiotropic nature of growth factor action.     

Domain requirements for the Dock adapter protein in growth- cone signaling

Tyrosine phosphorylation has been implicated in growth-cone guidance through genetic, biochemical, and pharmacological studies. Adapter proteins containing src homology 2 (SH2) domains and src homology 3 (SH3) domains provide a means of linking guidance signaling through phosphotyrosine to downstream effectors regulating growth-cone motility. The Drosophila adapter, Dreadlocks (Dock), the homolog of mammalian Nck containing three N-terminal SH3 domains and a single SH2 domain, is highly specialized for growth-cone guidance. In this paper, we demonstrate that Dock can couple signals in either an SH2-dependent or an SH2-independent fashion in photoreceptor (R cell) growth cones, and that Dock displays different domain requirements in different neurons.     

A new class of mutations reveals a novel function for the original phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase binding site

Previous studies have demonstrated that the specificity of Src homology 2 (SH2) and phosphotyrosine-binding domain interactions are mediated by phosphorylated tyrosines and their neighboring amino acids. Two of the first phosphotyrosine-based binding sites were found on middle T antigen of polyoma virus. Tyr-250 acts as a binding site for ShcA, whereas Tyr-315 forms a binding site for the SH2 domain of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. However, genetic analysis of a given phosphotyrosine's role in signaling can be complicated when it serves as a binding site for multiple proteins. The situation is particularly difficult when the phosphotyrosine serves as a secondary binding site for a protein with primary binding determinates elsewhere. Mutation of a tyrosine residue to phenylalanine blocks association of all bound proteins. Here we show that the mutation of the amino acids following the phosphorylated tyrosine to alanine can reveal phosphotyrosine function as a secondary binding site, while abrogating the phosphotyrosine motif's role as a primary binding site for SH2 domains. We tested this methodology by using middle T antigen. Our results suggest that Tyr-250 is a secondary binding site for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, whereas Tyr-315 is a secondary binding site for a yet-to-be-identified protein, which is critical for transformation.     

A mammalian adaptor protein with conserved Src homology 2 and phosphotyrosine-binding domains is related to Shc and is specifically expressed in the brain.

The Shc adaptor protein, hereafter referred to as ShcA, possesses two distinct phosphotyrosine-recognition modules, a C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain and an N-terminal phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain, and is itself phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to many extracellular signals. Phosphorylation of human ShcA at Tyr-317 within its central (CH1) region induces binding to the Grb2 SH2 domain and is thereby implicated in activation of the Ras pathway. Two shc-related genes (shcB and shcC) have been identified in the mouse. shcB is closely related to human SCK, while shcC has not yet been found in other organisms. The ShcC protein is predicted to have a C-terminal SH2 domain, a CH1 region with a putative Grb2-binding site, and an N-terminal PTB domain. The ShcC and ShcB SH2 domains bind phosphotyrosine-containing peptides and receptors with a specificity related to, but distinct from, that of the ShcA SH2 domain. The ShcC PTB domain specifically associates in vitro with the autophosphorylated receptors for nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor. These results indicate that ShcC has functional SH2 and PTB; domains. In contrast to shcA, which is widely expressed, shcC RNA and proteins are predominantly expressed in the adult brain. These results suggest that ShcC may mediate signaling from tyrosine kinases in the nervous system, such as receptors for neurotrophins.     

Herpes simplex virus 1 infected cell protein 0 forms a complex with CIN85 and Cbl and mediates the degradation of EGF receptor from cell surfaces

Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) is a 775-residue multifunctional herpes simplex virus protein associated with numerous functions related to transactivation of gene expression and repression of host defenses to infection. We report that an uncharted domain of ICP0 located between residues 245 and 510 contains multiple SH3 domain binding motifs similar to those required for binding to CIN85, the M(r) 85,000 protein that interacts with Cbl. CIN85 and Cbl are involved in endocytosis and negative regulation of numerous receptor tyrosine kinases. We report that ICP0 binds CIN85 in a reciprocal manner and that the complexes pulled down by ICP0 also contain Cbl. We tested the role of ICP0 in the down-regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases by using epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a prototypic receptor. In transfection assays, ICP0, in the absence of other viral genes, down-regulated EGF-dependent expression of a reporter gene (luciferase). ICP0 also down-regulated both total and cell surface levels of EGFR in EGF-independent manner. In wild-type virus-infected cells, the surface levels of EGFR were also decreased in the absence of EGF stimulation. Stimulation by EGF enhanced the decrease in surface EGFR. We conclude that ICP0 encodes SH3 domain binding sites that function to down-regulate signaling pathways associated with receptor tyrosine kinases. The results suggest that ICP0 precludes signaling to the infected cells through the receptor tyrosine kinases.     

Modified SH2 domain to phototrap and identify phosphotyrosine proteins from subcellular sites within cells

Spatial regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation is important for many aspects of cell biology. However, phosphotyrosine accounts for less than 1% of all phosphorylated substrates, and it is typically a very transient event in vivo. These factors complicate the identification of key tyrosine kinase substrates, especially in the context of their extraordinary spatial organization. Here, we describe an approach to identify tyrosine kinase substrates based on their subcellular distribution from within cells. This method uses an unnatural amino acid-modified Src homology 2 (SH2) domain that is expressed within cells and can covalently trap phosphotyrosine proteins on exposure to light. This SH2 domain-based photoprobe was targeted to cellular structures, such as the actin cytoskeleton, mitochondria, and cellular membranes, to capture tyrosine kinase substrates unique to each cellular region. We demonstrate that RhoA, one of the proteins associated with actin, can be phosphorylated on two tyrosine residues within the switch regions, suggesting that phosphorylation of these residues might modulate RhoA signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. We conclude that expression of SH2 domains within cellular compartments that are capable of covalent phototrapping can reveal the spatial organization of tyrosine kinase substrates that are likely to be important for the regulation of subcellular structures.