SPR domain

In molecular biology the SPR domain is a protein domain found in the Sprouty (Spry) and Spred (Sprouty related EVH1 domain) proteins. These have been identified as inhibitors of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, a pathway crucial for developmental processes initiated by activation of various receptor tyrosine kinases.^[1][2] These proteins share a conserved, C-terminal cysteine-rich region, the SPR domain. This domain has been defined as a novel cytosol to membrane translocation domain.^[2][3][4][5] It has been found to be a PtdIns(4,5)P2-binding domain that targets the proteins to a cellular localization that maximizes their inhibitory potential.^[2][6] It also mediates homodimer formation of these proteins.^[3][6]

The SPR domain can occur in association with the WH1 domain (see InterPro: IPR000697) (located in the N-terminus) in the Spred proteins.