Biomaterial Database

Receptor tyrosine kinase transmembrane domains: Function, dimer structure and dimerization energetics. 2010

Edwin Li, and Kalina Hristova

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.

The transmembrane (TM) domains of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play an active role in signaling. They contribute to the stability of full-length receptor dimers and to maintaining a signaling-competent dimeric receptor conformation. In an exciting new development, two structures of RTK TM domains have been solved, a break-through achievement in the field. Here we review these structures, and we discuss recent studies of RTK TM domain dimerization energetics, possible synergies between domains, and the effects of pathogenic RTK TM mutations on structure and dimerization.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015398	Signal Transduction	The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway.	Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D017434	Protein Structure, Tertiary	The level of protein structure in which combinations of secondary protein structures (ALPHA HELICES; BETA SHEETS; loop regions, and AMINO ACID MOTIFS) pack together to form folded shapes. Disulfide bridges between cysteines in two different parts of the polypeptide chain along with other interactions between the chains play a role in the formation and stabilization of tertiary structure.	Tertiary Protein Structure,Protein Structures, Tertiary,Tertiary Protein Structures
D019281	Dimerization	The process by which two molecules of the same chemical composition form a condensation product or polymer.	Dimerizations
D020794	Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases	A class of cellular receptors that have an intrinsic PROTEIN-TYROSINE KINASE activity.	PTK Receptor,Receptors, Protein-Tyrosine Kinase,Tyrosine Kinase Linked Receptor,Tyrosine Kinase Linked Receptors,Tyrosine Kinase Receptor,Tyrosine Kinase Receptors,PTK Receptors,Protein-Tyrosine Kinase Receptor,Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinase,Kinase Receptor, Tyrosine,Kinase, Receptor Protein-Tyrosine,Kinases, Receptor Protein-Tyrosine,Protein-Tyrosine Kinase Receptors,Protein-Tyrosine Kinase, Receptor,Protein-Tyrosine Kinases, Receptor,Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinase,Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinases,Receptor, PTK,Receptor, Protein-Tyrosine Kinase,Receptor, Tyrosine Kinase,Receptors, PTK,Receptors, Protein Tyrosine Kinase