We have investigated protein-protein interaction between distinct domains of the human CD45 cytoplasmic region using a yeast two-hybrid system. Consequently, we have found that the spacer region between two tandem PTP domains specifically interacts with the membrane-distal PTP domain (D2). This interaction is mediated by a stretch of amino acid residues in the carboxyl-terminal half of the spacer region. Although the membrane proximal region does not directly interact with either of the two PTP domains, it appears to function in stabilizing the interaction between the spacer region and D2. We also demonstrate that the interaction between the spacer region and D2 might take place intramolecularly.
