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Integrating signals from RTKs to ERK/MAPK

Oncogene volume 26, pages 3113–3121 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Signals received at the cell surface must be properly transmitted to critical targets within the cell to achieve the appropriate biological response. This process of signal transduction is often initiated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which function as entry points for many extracellular cues and play a critical role in recruiting the intracellular signaling cascades that orchestrate a particular response. Essential for most RTK-mediated signaling is the engagement and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade comprised of the Raf, MEK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinases. For many years, it was thought that signaling from RTKs to ERK occurred only at the plasma membrane and was mediated by a simple, linear Ras-dependent pathway. However, the limitation of this model became apparent with the discovery that Ras and ERK can be activated at various intracellular compartments, and that RTKs can modulate Ras/ERK signaling from these sites. Moreover, ERK scaffolding proteins and signaling modulators have been identified that play critical roles in determining the strength, duration and location of RTK-mediated ERK signaling. Together, these factors contribute to the diversity of biological responses generated by RTK signaling.

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Acknowledgements

We thank M Fortini, D Ritt and I Daar for comments and critical reading of the manuscript. This project has been funded in whole or in part by Federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.

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  1. Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA

    M M McKay & D K Morrison

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McKay, M., Morrison, D. Integrating signals from RTKs to ERK/MAPK. Oncogene 26, 3113–3121 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.onc.1210394

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