EGFR mutation up-regulates EGR1 expression through the ERK pathway
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Deciphering the Structural Effects of Activating EGFR Somatic Mutations with Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Published on: May 20, 2020
Mari Maegawa1, Tokuzo Arao, Hideyuki Yokote
1Department of Genome Biology, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.
Background:
DelE746_A750-type EGFR is a constitutively active type of mutation that enhances EGFR signaling. However, the changes in gene expression that occur in mutant EGFR-harboring cells has not been fully studied.
Materials And Methods:
A gene expression analysis of HEK293 cells transfected with wild-type or mutant EGFR was performed focusing on the significant gene.
Results:
Early growth response 1 (EGR1), a transcription factor, was the most strongly up-regulated gene in mutant EGFR-transfected cells among the genes examined. An increase in EGR1 expression in the mutant EGFR cells was confirmed using RT-PCR or immunoblotting. The expression was up-regulated by EGF stimulation and down-regulated by EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In addition, the MEK inhibitor U0126 inhibited EGR1 expression, while the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 did not.
Conclusion:
Mutant EGFR constitutively up-regulates EGR1 through the ERK pathway, and its expression is correlated with EGFR signal activation. Findings provide an insight into a target gene of mutant EGFR and further improve the understanding of the oncogenic properties of EGFR.
Related Concept Videos
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
MAPK Signaling Cascades
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
The Ras Gene
Ras is a superfamily...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...

