Understanding the Role of EGFR in Cancer Pathogenesis

This animation explains the role of EGFR in the regulation of cell growth and the effects of the overexpression of EGFR.

Transcript:

Normal cells regulate cell function through a variety of cell pathways. The HER family is a group of transmembrane proteins responsible for regulating cell growth. EGFR, one of these proteins initially exists in a tethered position on the cell surface. The extracellular domains can fold, exposing the dimerization arm of the protein and enabling dimerization. The dimer is stabilized through ligand binding and the intracellular domains auto phosphorylate. The activated dimer initiates a signal cascade to the nucleus impacting genes associated with cell proliferation.

In some cancers, EGFR is over expressed. The higher density of receptors increases the number of dimers formed and subsequently strengthens resulting signaling. Enhanced stimulation of genes associated with cell growth contributes to the high proliferation of the tumor cells.