Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

Tyrosine kinase signalling in breast cancer: epidermal growth factor receptor and c-Src interactions in breast cancer

J S Biscardi1, R C Ishizawar, C M Silva

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.

Breast Cancer Research : BCR
|March 16, 2001
PubMed

Insights

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Src, promotes breast cancer by interacting with epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. This interaction is critical for cancer cell survival, proliferation, and tumor growth, highlighting c-Src as a key regulator in breast cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Src, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor family members are frequently overexpressed in human breast cancers.
  • Both molecules are plasma membrane-associated and implicated in mitogenesis, suggesting a collaborative role in breast cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional relationship between c-Src and EGF receptor family members in breast cancer.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which c-Src influences breast cancer cell survival, proliferation, and tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • The study likely involved molecular biology techniques to examine the association between c-Src and EGF receptors.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways downstream of EGF receptor activation and the role of c-Src in phosphorylation events.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports a model where c-Src potentiates the survival, proliferation, and tumorigenesis of EGF receptor family members through association.
  • Phosphorylation of the EGF receptor by c-Src is crucial for mitogenic signaling initiated by EGF receptors, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), cytokine receptors, and the estrogen receptor.

Conclusions:

  • c-Src plays a significant role in breast cancer progression by modulating the activity of multiple growth-promoting receptors.
  • c-Src exhibits pleiotropic effects on cancer cells, underscoring its importance as a therapeutic target.

Related Concept Videos

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases01:26

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases

Receptor tyrosine kinases or RTKs are membrane-bound receptors that phosphorylate specific tyrosine on protein substrates. RTKs regulate cellular growth, differentiation, survival, and migration. They contain an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytosolic tail with intrinsic kinase activity. Several extracellular signaling molecules activate RTKs in one or more ways and relay the signal downstream. Ligands such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...
Enzyme-linked Receptors01:13

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...