Abstract
The HGF receptor family includes tyrosine kinases encoded by three oncogenes: MET, SEA and RON. The members of this gene family share a unique functional feature: they mediate cell dissociation and motility ('scattering') in physiological conditions, and invasiveness in their activated versions. The Met, Ron and Sea receptors display a distinctive signal transduction behaviour. Unlike conventional growth factor receptors, their cytoplasmic tails contain a multifunctional docking site. Upon autophosphorylation, this sequence simultaneously binds and activates multiple SH2-containing transducers, including Ras and PI 3-kinase. A deregulated activation of this 'supersite' triggers a dramatic pleiotropic signal which is responsible for invasive cell growth.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Avian Proteins*
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Cell Division / genetics
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Cell Division / physiology*
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic* / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Humans
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Multienzyme Complexes / physiology
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Phosphorylation
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology*
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Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
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Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
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Signal Transduction / physiology*
Substances
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Avian Proteins
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Multienzyme Complexes
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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sea protein, Gallus gallus
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
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RON protein
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases