What are the Mechanisms of EGFR Family Activation?
The activation of the EGFR family involves several mechanisms:
Ligand binding: Specific growth factors bind to the extracellular domain of the receptor, causing dimerization and autophosphorylation of the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. Gene amplification: Increased copy numbers of EGFR or HER2 genes can lead to overexpression. Mutations: Point mutations in the gene can result in constitutive activation of the receptor. Transactivation: Cross-talk with other receptor tyrosine kinases or G-protein-coupled receptors can activate EGFR family members.
