EGFR Receptor Family Extracellular Domain Structures and Functions

From its discovery, the EGFR has been linked to the transformation events associated with oncogenic changes. Until recently, however, investigations on the 3-dimensional structures, cell surface configurations, and activation of the EGFR family members have yielded only limited insight into the biochemistry and biology of this receptor family. We now have the 3D-structures of the extracellular domains (ECDs) of all four family members. Surprisingly, when forming the activated, ligand-bound structures, the EGFR, ErbB3 and, ErbB4 undergo major conformational changes.