Epithelial lab front page

Lab head

Current Research

Laboratory staff

Selected Publications

New Stuff

Amplification, autocrine activation and/or removal of a part of the ectodomain of the epidermal growth factor receptor have been associated with tumour development. The traditional model of EGF receptor activation consists of ligand binding followed by dimerization of the receptor and then activation of the tyrosine kinase domain. However, this does not provide a full explanation of the receptor in tumour development. We have shown that dimerization of the EGF receptor via its extracellular domains inhibits kinase activation when ligand is not present. The partial or total removal of the extracellular regions of the EGF receptor removes the constraint that prevents ligand-independent activation of the tyrosine kinase.

Lab members involved in the research:

• Hong-Jian Zhu
• Suzy Orchard
• Josie Iaria
• Kellie Cartledge

Publications:
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: Self-association of Extracellular Domain Negatively Regulates Intracellular Kinase Activation in the Absence of Ligand
Zhu H-J, Iaria J, Orchard S, Walker F, Burgess AW
Submitted

Crystal Structure of a Truncated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Extracellular Domain Bound to Transforming Growth Factor alpha
Garrett TPJ, McKern NM, Lou M, Elleman TC, Adams TE, Lovrecz GO, Zhu H-J, Walker F, Frenkel MJ, Hoyne PA, Jorissen RN, Nice EC, Burgess AW, Ward CW.
Cell. Accepted for publication