RTKreseptoreiden

RTKreseptoreiden, or Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, are a large family of cell surface receptors that play a crucial role in cellular signaling. They are involved in regulating a wide range of physiological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Upon binding to their specific ligands, such as growth factors, RTKs dimerize and undergo autophosphorylation. This phosphorylation event activates their intracellular tyrosine kinase domain, which then initiates a cascade of downstream signaling pathways.

These downstream pathways often involve the activation of adapter proteins and the recruitment of signaling molecules to the activated receptor complex. Key signaling cascades regulated by RTKs include the Ras-MAPK pathway, the PI3K-Akt pathway, and the JAK-STAT pathway. Dysregulation of RTK signaling is implicated in the development and progression of various diseases, most notably cancer, where mutations or overexpression of RTKs can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Consequently, RTKs are significant targets for therapeutic interventions in oncology.