What is the role of EGF?
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a common mitogenic factor that stimulates the proliferation of different types of cells, especially fibroblasts and epithelial cells. EGF enhances the differentiation, maturation and survival of a variety of neurons.
What happens when EGFR is activated?
Upon activation, the EGFR dimers become tetramers and oligomers through the interaction between EGFR itself [56,57], as well as the interaction with its effectors such as AP-2 and Shc1.
Where is EGFR produced?
2.2. EGFR is another member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family that is located on chromosome 7p12 in humans. EGFR plays a key role in normal mammary development and function and is present in the ductal epithelial cells of normal breast (Moller et al., 1989; Wiesen, Young, Werb, & Cunha, 1999).
What ligand binds to EGFR?
Betacellulin (BTC) is a dual-specificity ligand that binds to and activates EGFR and ERBB4.
How is EGFR inactivated?
A second mechanism by which EGFRs are inactivated is the catalyzed dephosphorylation of the receptor by phosphatases. The discovery of protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) came several years after that of tyrosine kinases, but they were immediately recognized as important regulatory components of signaling (Tonks et al.
What are the main target end proteins of the EGFR signaling pathway?
Three adaptor proteins, Shc, Grb2, and Gab1, bind to the activated EGFR via its autophosphorylated tyrosine residues. Shc binds to activated EGFR and is phosphorylated on its tyrosine 317. Grb2 binds to activated EGFR either directly or via Shc bound to activated EGFR.
What causes mutation of EGFR?
An EGFR mutation occurs when there is an error in the DNA that makes up the protein. These errors are also a type of biomarker. A biomarker is a biological molecule that can be an indicator of a certain condition or disease, according to the National Cancer Institute .