Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development
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Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development

Published on: June 15, 2017

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Pulling back the curtain: The hidden functions of receptor tyrosine kinases in development

James F Clark1, Philippe M Soriano1

  • 1Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|May 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have canonical roles in cell signaling. Genetic studies reveal RTKs also possess noncanonical functions in cell adhesion and nuclear signaling, independent of typical pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are crucial transmembrane receptors regulating cellular processes.
  • RTK activation involves recruiting adaptor proteins to intracellular motifs, initiating signaling cascades.
  • Canonical RTK signaling pathways are well-established, but noncanonical roles are emerging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms underlying RTK-driven developmental processes.
  • To explore noncanonical biological activities of RTKs beyond established signaling pathways.
  • To understand how genetic analysis can elucidate both canonical and noncanonical RTK functions.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic dissection of Fibroblast Growth Factor receptors (FGFRs).
  • Analysis of RTK alleles lacking canonical signaling domains.
  • Review of recent data and technologies investigating RTK functions.

Main Results:

  • FGFR alleles lacking canonical RTK signaling retain kinase-dependent activity.
  • Evidence suggests noncanonical roles for RTKs in cell adhesion.
  • Emerging data points to noncanonical roles in nuclear signaling.

Conclusions:

  • RTKs exhibit diverse biological activities, encompassing both canonical and noncanonical functions.
  • Noncanonical RTK activities, particularly in cell adhesion and nuclear signaling, warrant further investigation.
  • Advanced technologies are key to uncovering the developmental significance of these noncanonical roles.
Keywords:
Cell adhesionFibroblast growth factor signalingNuclear signalingReceptor tyrosine kinases

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