Chapter 15, Problem 4P

Summary Introduction

To examine:  Whether the statement “binding of extracellular ligands to receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) activates the intracellular catalytic domain by propagating a conformational change across the lipid bilayer through a single transmembrane α helix” is true or false.

Introduction:

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are transmembrane receptors in signal transduction pathways. They bind to the ligands such as growth factors and play essential roles in regulation of cellular processes. All RTKs consists of an extracellular domain with a ligand-binding site, a single transmembrane α helix, and a cytosolic domain.