※ PDGFR family introduction

    PDGFR (Platelet-derived growth factor receptor) are receptor tyrosine kinase. Two different gene encoding PDGFR-A and PDGFR-B have been identified in human genome, both of which can interact with PDGFs to regulate diverse cellular processes. PDGFRs contain similar structure, including five extracellular immunoglobulin loops and an intracellular kinase domain. PDGFRs are original inactive in unstimulated cell environment. Ligand binding leads to the dimerization of PDGFR which will mediate the autophosphorylation on tyrosine residues in intracellular domain. Activate PDGFR subsequently target the downstream signaling molecules via the docking sites and further lead to the protein-protein interactions. Via targeting to distinct molecules, PDGFRs are involved in diverse signaling pathway, including JNK/SAPK and RAS/MAPK, and some secondary effectors such as Akt, JNK, PKC and p70S6K (1).

Reference
1. Andrae, J., Gallini, R. and Betsholtz, C. (2008) Role of platelet-derived growth factors in physiology and medicine. Genes Dev, 22, 1276-1312. PMID: 18483217