The nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the phosphotyrosine bindin
g (PTB) domain of Shc complexed to a phosphopeptide reveals an alterna
tive means of recognizing tryosine-phosphorylated proteins. Unlike in
SH2 domains, the phosphopeptide forms an antiparallel beta-strand with
a beta-sheet of the protein, interacts with a hydrophobic pocket thro
ugh the (pY-5) residue, and adopts a beta-turn. The PTB domain is stru
cturally similar to pleckstrin homology domains (a alpha-sandwich capp
ed by an alpha-helix) and binds to acidic phospholipids, suggesting a
possible role in membrane localization.