Ligand-induced, receptor-mediated dimerization and activation of EGF receptor.

The EGF receptor mediates many cellular responses in normal biological processes and in pathological states. Recent structural studies reveal the molecular basis for ligand binding specificity and how ligand binding induces receptor dimerization. Receptor dimerization is mediated by receptor-receptor interactions in which a loop protruding from neighboring receptors mediates receptor dimerization and activation.