title: The ligand binding domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor is not required for receptor dimerization.
abstract: To examine the role of the ligand binding domain of epidermal growth factor receptor in its dimerization, we studied the dimerization of a truncated form of the receptor that resembles v-erbB in that it lacks a ligand binding domain. Receptor dimerization was determined by sedimentation analysis on sucrose density gradients at different concentrations of Triton X-100. At high concentrations of Triton X-100 (0.2%), the truncated receptor occurred as a monomer and displayed low basal autophosphorylation. By contrast, at low concentrations of Triton X-100 (0.01%), it existed as a dimer and exhibited high basal autophosphorylation. The ability of the truncated receptor to dimerize indicates that the ligand binding domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor is not required for receptor dimerization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kwatra
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Bigner
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cohn
mesh_terms: D001345:Autoradiography; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D017830:Octoxynol; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D017830:Octoxynol; D066246:ErbB Receptors