platelet-derived growth factor receptor
platelet-derived growth factor receptor
Any of a family of catalytic receptors with intracellular tyrosine kinase activity, which play key roles in regulating various biological processes such as embryonic development, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and differentiation. They also play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases, including cancer. Ligand binding to receptors triggers receptor dimerisation and transphosphorylation at specific tyrosine residues, activating intracellular kinase activity and initiating intracellular signalling through the MAPK, PI3K and PKC-gamma pathways.PDGFRs are composed of three isoforms (a homodimer of PDGFRalpha, a homodimer of PDGFRbeta, and a heterodimer of PDGFRalpha and –beta) and four ligands (PDGF-A, -B, -C and -D).