Growth hormone regulation of SIRP and SHP-2 tyrosyl phosphorylation and association.

SIRPs (signal-regulatory proteins) are a family of transmembrane glycoproteins that were identified by their association with the Src homology 2 domain-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 in response to insulin. Here we examine whether SIRPalpha and SHP-2 are signaling molecules for the receptors for growth hormone (GH), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), or interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), cytokine receptor superfamily members that bind to and activate Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). In 3T3-F442A fibroblasts, GH rapidly stimulates tyrosyl phosphorylation of both SIRPalpha and SHP-2 and enhances association of SHP-2 with SIRPalpha. Consistent with JAK2 binding and phosphorylating SIRPalpha in response to GH, co-expression of SIRPalpha and JAK2 in COS cells results in tyrosyl phosphorylation of SIRPalpha and JAK2 association with SIRPalpha. LIF does not stimulate tyrosyl phosphorylation of SIRPalpha but stimulates greater tyrosyl phosphorylation of SHP-2 than GH. Additionally, LIF enhances association of SHP-2 with the gp130 subunit of the LIF receptor signaling complex. IFNgamma, which stimulates JAK2 to a greater extent than LIF, is ineffective at stimulating tyrosyl phosphorylation of SIRPalpha or SHP-2. These results suggest that SIRPalpha is a signaling molecule for GH but not for LIF or IFNgamma. Differential phosphorylation of SIRPalpha and SHP-2 may contribute to the distinct physiological effects of these ligands.