Epidermal growth factor receptor

Cohen shared the 1986 Nobel Prize in Medicine with Rita Levi-Montalcini for their discovery of growth factors.

[9] In addition to forming homodimers after ligand binding, EGFR may pair with another member of the ErbB receptor family, such as ErbB2/Her2/neu, to create an activated heterodimer.

[11] This autophosphorylation elicits downstream activation and signaling by several other proteins that associate with the phosphorylated tyrosines through their own phosphotyrosine-binding SH2 domains.

Additionally, the kinase domain of the EGFR can cross-phosphorylate the tyrosine residues of other receptors with which it is aggregated and thereby activate itself.

[19] These somatic mutations involving EGFR lead to its constant activation, which produces uncontrolled cell division.

A single child displaying multi-organ epithelial inflammation was found to have a homozygous loss of function mutation in the EGFR gene.

His clinical features included a papulopustular rash, dry skin, chronic diarrhoea, abnormalities of hair growth, breathing difficulties and electrolyte imbalances.

With the binding site blocked, signal molecules can no longer attach there and activate the tyrosine kinase.

Another method is using small molecules to inhibit the EGFR tyrosine kinase, which is on the cytoplasmic side of the receptor.

Ostensibly by halting the signaling cascade in cells that rely on this pathway for growth, tumor proliferation and migration is diminished.

[35] There are several quantitative methods available that use protein phosphorylation detection to identify EGFR family inhibitors.

[41] Laboratory research using genetically engineered stem cells to target EGFR in mice was reported in 2014 to show promise.

[45][46] It has been proposed that certain computed tomography findings such as ground-glass opacities, air bronchogram, spiculated margins, vascular convergence, and pleural retraction can predict the presence of EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

EGFR signaling cascades
Diagram of the EGF receptor highlighting important domains