Summary
Surface receptors that dimerise on ligand binding and autophosphorylate, triggering cascades like the Ras-MAPK pathway.
In depth
Ligand binding causes receptor dimerisation and cross-phosphorylation of tyrosine residues. Phosphotyrosines recruit adaptor proteins such as Grb2, which activate Ras; Ras triggers a MAP kinase cascade (Raf, MEK, ERK) that ends in changes to gene expression and proliferation.
Other branches such as PI3K-Akt promote survival. Overactive RTKs, for instance EGFR and HER2, drive many cancers.
Frequently asked questions
What is Receptor Tyrosine Kinases?
Surface receptors that dimerise on ligand binding and autophosphorylate, triggering cascades like the Ras-MAPK pathway.
Which area of biology covers Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, and how advanced is it?
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases is one of the 52 topics in Cell Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Cell Signalling, G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Cyclin-Dependent Kinases.
Can you give an example of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases?
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What should I learn before Receptor Tyrosine Kinases?
Work through the Beginner topics in Cell Biology first, such as Cell Theory, Prokaryotic Cell, Eukaryotic Cell, then return to Receptor Tyrosine Kinases. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Receptor Tyrosine Kinases?
The closest topics to Receptor Tyrosine Kinases are Cell Signalling, G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Cyclin-Dependent Kinases, Apoptosis. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Receptor Tyrosine Kinases?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Receptor Tyrosine Kinases. To practise the whole of Cell Biology, use the Cell Biology quiz.
How is Receptor Tyrosine Kinases different from Cell Signalling?
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: Surface receptors that dimerise on ligand binding and autophosphorylate, triggering cascades like the Ras-MAPK pathway. Cell Signalling: Cells detect extracellular ligands with receptors and convert them into responses through signal transduction pathways. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Receptor Tyrosine Kinases step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Cell Signalling and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Cell Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.