Affiliations: Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas,
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad
Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Hongbing Li Instituto de
Investigaciones Biomédicas Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Arturo Duperier 4
28029 Madrid, Spain Fax # +34-91-585-4587 e-mail: antonio.villalobo@iib.uam.es
Note: []
Abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a plasma membrane
tyrosine kinase that belongs, together with other three related members, to the
ErbB family of receptors. These receptors share a large group of polypeptide
ligands, that induce homodimerization or heterodimerization among themselves,
and the activation of their intrinsic tyrosine kinases followed by their
transphosphorylation. The active phosphorylated receptors generate a series of
signaling events conducted to initiate cell proliferation, differentiation
and/or antiapoptotic responses. In this short review it will be analysed some
major signaling pathways initiated by EGFR activation, the regulatory
mechanisms controlling its tyrosine kinase activity, some of which are mediated
by the calcium signal generated by the own receptor, and its downregulation and
internalisation. Moreover, the cross-talk between the EGFR and other ErbB
family members, and between the EGFR and other non-related receptors, will be
described. Finally, the importance of this receptor in embryogenesis and in
proliferative processes in adult individuals will be analysed by the
description of some genetic alterations that result in the occurrence of
important foetal malformations and the generation of cancerous tumors.
Keywords: Epidermal growth factor, signal transduction, desensitisation, transactivation
