GRB2: a pivotal protein in signal transduction.
The growth factor receptor-bound protein-2 (GRB2) is essential for multiple cellular functions. Inhibition of GRB2 function impairs developmental processes in various organisms and blocks transformation and proliferation of various cell types. GRB2 is most well known for its ability to link the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase to the activation of RAS and its downstream kinases, ERK1,2. We recently reported that GRB2 does not link the HER2 tyrosine kinase to the activation of ERK1,2 but to another kinase, AKT. So, different tyrosine kinases may converge on GRB2 for signaling; however, they may not always use GRB2 to effect the same downstream kinases for cellular functions. It is likely that GRB2 will be found to regulate many more kinases because it plays such a pivotal role in signal transduction.
Tari
A M
AM
Section of Immunobiology and Drug Carriers, Department of Bioimmunotherapy, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Lopez-Berestein
G
G
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051380:GRB2 Adaptor Protein; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011506:Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D018909:src Homology Domains
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D051380:GRB2 Adaptor Protein; C495948:GRB2 protein, human; D011506:Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors; C494918:AKT1 protein, human; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt