Integrative structural and dynamics studies of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most extensively studied targets in cancer therapy, yet its complex regulatory mechanisms remain partially understood. While traditional structural approaches have provided invaluable insights, the static crystal structures of individual domains have been limited to capturing the full dynamic nature of EGFR regulation. Understanding the complete structure of full-length EGFR has been challenging due to the inherent flexibility and complexity of the multidomain membrane protein. Here we integrate recent structural studies using cryo-electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations and single-molecule biophysics. Integrated knowledge has revealed that EGFR samples multiple transient conformational states of monomer and higher-order oligomers, and that activation requires coordinated structural transitions between the extracellular domain, transmembrane helix, juxtamembrane region and asymmetric kinase dimer. The allosteric coupling and oligomerization propensity of EGFR are altered by oncogenic mutations, membrane environments and ligand binding. Strategies that incorporate conformational dynamics, allosteric regulation and static structures of EGFR may yield inhibitors with improved selectivity and reduced resistance.