The erbB/HER type 1 tyrosine kinase receptor family

The erb type 1 tyrosine kinase receptors are important for mediating proliferation and differentiation, and aberrant activation may contribute to tumour development and progression. They comprise epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, and c-erbB-4. There are overlaps and differences in the cellular distribution of the four receptors, which is of significance since they can form heterodimers that give differing responses to different ligands. The different distributions could be of particular importance in cancer if therapeutic modalities are identified to inhibit or stimulate the different ligands.