EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR Meaning and
Definition
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Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a cell surface receptor protein that belongs to the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. It is encoded by the EGFR gene and is primarily expressed on the surface of epithelial cells, which line various tissues and organs in the body. EGFR plays a crucial role in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival by binding to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and other ligands.
The binding of ligands to EGFR initiates a cascade of signaling events within the cell, leading to the activation of several intracellular pathways, including the RAS-RAF-MAPK and PI3K-AKT pathways. These pathways regulate gene expression, cell cycle progression, and cell survival, thereby influencing various cellular processes such as cell division, migration, and tissue development.
Alterations in the EGFR gene or overexpression of the EGFR protein have been implicated in the development and progression of several types of cancers, including lung, colorectal, and breast cancer. EGFR-targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies or small molecule inhibitors, have been developed to specifically block the activity of EGFR and inhibit cancer cell growth and survival by disrupting the downstream signaling pathways.
Understanding the function and regulation of EGFR is vital for advancing our knowledge of normal cellular processes as well as developing effective therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with EGFR dysregulation.
Common Misspellings for EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR
- wpidermal growth factor receptor
- spidermal growth factor receptor
- dpidermal growth factor receptor
- rpidermal growth factor receptor
- 4pidermal growth factor receptor
- 3pidermal growth factor receptor
- eoidermal growth factor receptor
- elidermal growth factor receptor
- e-idermal growth factor receptor
- e0idermal growth factor receptor
- epudermal growth factor receptor
- epjdermal growth factor receptor
- epkdermal growth factor receptor
- epodermal growth factor receptor
- ep9dermal growth factor receptor
- ep8dermal growth factor receptor
- episermal growth factor receptor
- epixermal growth factor receptor
- epicermal growth factor receptor
- epifermal growth factor receptor
