The receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by the neu/erbB-2 proto-oncogene is constitutively activated by a single valine to glutamic acid substitution at position 664 in the predicted membrane-spanning sequence of the receptor. We have explored the structural changes involved in receptor activation with polarized FTIR and magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. The hydrophobic transmembrane sequence folds into a well-defined alpha-helical structure spanning the membrane bilayer. Measurements of the pK(a) and C-13 chemical shift anisotropy of Glu 664 reveal that the side chain carboxyl group is protonated and strongly hydrogen bonded. These studies provide direct evidence for glutamate hydrogen-bonding interactions in the mechanism of receptor dimerization and activation.