| Structural highlights
Disease
EGFR_HUMAN Defects in EGFR are associated with lung cancer (LNCR) [MIM:211980. LNCR is a common malignancy affecting tissues of the lung. The most common form of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can be divided into 3 major histologic subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell lung cancer. NSCLC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis.
Function
EGFR_HUMAN Receptor tyrosine kinase binding ligands of the EGF family and activating several signaling cascades to convert extracellular cues into appropriate cellular responses. Known ligands include EGF, TGFA/TGF-alpha, amphiregulin, epigen/EPGN, BTC/betacellulin, epiregulin/EREG and HBEGF/heparin-binding EGF. Ligand binding triggers receptor homo- and/or heterodimerization and autophosphorylation on key cytoplasmic residues. The phosphorylated receptor recruits adapter proteins like GRB2 which in turn activates complex downstream signaling cascades. Activates at least 4 major downstream signaling cascades including the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK, PI3 kinase-AKT, PLCgamma-PKC and STATs modules. May also activate the NF-kappa-B signaling cascade. Also directly phosphorylates other proteins like RGS16, activating its GTPase activity and probably coupling the EGF receptor signaling to the G protein-coupled receptor signaling. Also phosphorylates MUC1 and increases its interaction with SRC and CTNNB1/beta-catenin.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] Isoform 2 may act as an antagonist of EGF action.[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) are actively pursued in drug discovery due to their prolonged target engagement and clinical efficacy. Although kinetic parameters provide a path to their optimization, systematic design strategies and practical guidance remain underexplored. In this study, the EGFR kinase is deployed as a model system to elucidate structural and functional determinants critical for directing the optimization of irreversible TCIs. Functional analyses reveal a two-phase optimization process, underscoring the importance of balancing horizontal line rather than maximizing horizontal line the inactivation efficiency rate (k(inact)/K(I)). Selective inhibition of the oncogenic L858R/T790M mutant over the wild-type is achieved by tuning this balance, particularly for TCIs exhibiting the fastest k(inact)/K(I). Structural studies indicate that certain hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions are associated with L858R/T790M selectivity, offering insights into structure-guided design. These results offer a broadly applicable approach for prioritizing compounds and support the integration of kinetic and selectivity data in TCI discovery campaigns.
Profiling and Optimizing Targeted Covalent Inhibitors through EGFR-Guided Studies.,Damghani T, Chitnis SP, Abidakun OA, Patel KB, Lin KS, Ouellette EA, Lantry AM, Heppner DE J Med Chem. 2025 Aug 28;68(16):17917-17932. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c01661. , Epub 2025 Aug 13. PMID:40801664[27]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Galisteo ML, Dikic I, Batzer AG, Langdon WY, Schlessinger J. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the c-cbl proto-oncogene protein product and association with epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor upon EGF stimulation. J Biol Chem. 1995 Sep 1;270(35):20242-5. PMID:7657591
- ↑ Derrien A, Druey KM. RGS16 function is regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation. J Biol Chem. 2001 Dec 21;276(51):48532-8. Epub 2001 Oct 15. PMID:11602604 doi:10.1074/jbc.M108862200
- ↑ Shao H, Cheng HY, Cook RG, Tweardy DJ. Identification and characterization of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 recruitment sites within the epidermal growth factor receptor. Cancer Res. 2003 Jul 15;63(14):3923-30. PMID:12873986
- ↑ Arcaro A, Zvelebil MJ, Wallasch C, Ullrich A, Waterfield MD, Domin J. Class II phosphoinositide 3-kinases are downstream targets of activated polypeptide growth factor receptors. Mol Cell Biol. 2000 Jun;20(11):3817-30. PMID:10805725
- ↑ Habib AA, Chatterjee S, Park SK, Ratan RR, Lefebvre S, Vartanian T. The epidermal growth factor receptor engages receptor interacting protein and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B)-inducing kinase to activate NF-kappa B. Identification of a novel receptor-tyrosine kinase signalosome. J Biol Chem. 2001 Mar 23;276(12):8865-74. Epub 2000 Dec 14. PMID:11116146 doi:10.1074/jbc.M008458200
- ↑ Li Y, Ren J, Yu W, Li Q, Kuwahara H, Yin L, Carraway KL 3rd, Kufe D. The epidermal growth factor receptor regulates interaction of the human DF3/MUC1 carcinoma antigen with c-Src and beta-catenin. J Biol Chem. 2001 Sep 21;276(38):35239-42. Epub 2001 Aug 1. PMID:11483589 doi:10.1074/jbc.C100359200
- ↑ Wang SC, Nakajima Y, Yu YL, Xia W, Chen CT, Yang CC, McIntush EW, Li LY, Hawke DH, Kobayashi R, Hung MC. Tyrosine phosphorylation controls PCNA function through protein stability. Nat Cell Biol. 2006 Dec;8(12):1359-68. Epub 2006 Nov 19. PMID:17115032 doi:10.1038/ncb1501
- ↑ Hsu JM, Chen CT, Chou CK, Kuo HP, Li LY, Lin CY, Lee HJ, Wang YN, Liu M, Liao HW, Shi B, Lai CC, Bedford MT, Tsai CH, Hung MC. Crosstalk between Arg 1175 methylation and Tyr 1173 phosphorylation negatively modulates EGFR-mediated ERK activation. Nat Cell Biol. 2011 Feb;13(2):174-81. doi: 10.1038/ncb2158. Epub 2011 Jan 23. PMID:21258366 doi:10.1038/ncb2158
- ↑ Ogiso H, Ishitani R, Nureki O, Fukai S, Yamanaka M, Kim JH, Saito K, Sakamoto A, Inoue M, Shirouzu M, Yokoyama S. Crystal structure of the complex of human epidermal growth factor and receptor extracellular domains. Cell. 2002 Sep 20;110(6):775-87. PMID:12297050
- ↑ Ferguson KM, Berger MB, Mendrola JM, Cho HS, Leahy DJ, Lemmon MA. EGF activates its receptor by removing interactions that autoinhibit ectodomain dimerization. Mol Cell. 2003 Feb;11(2):507-17. PMID:12620237
- ↑ Wood ER, Truesdale AT, McDonald OB, Yuan D, Hassell A, Dickerson SH, Ellis B, Pennisi C, Horne E, Lackey K, Alligood KJ, Rusnak DW, Gilmer TM, Shewchuk L. A unique structure for epidermal growth factor receptor bound to GW572016 (Lapatinib): relationships among protein conformation, inhibitor off-rate, and receptor activity in tumor cells. Cancer Res. 2004 Sep 15;64(18):6652-9. PMID:15374980 doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-1168
- ↑ Red Brewer M, Choi SH, Alvarado D, Moravcevic K, Pozzi A, Lemmon MA, Carpenter G. The juxtamembrane region of the EGF receptor functions as an activation domain. Mol Cell. 2009 Jun 26;34(6):641-51. PMID:19560417 doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2009.04.034
- ↑ Lu C, Mi LZ, Grey MJ, Zhu J, Graef E, Yokoyama S, Springer TA. Structural Evidence for Loose Linkage between Ligand Binding and Kinase Activation in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Sep 13. PMID:20837704 doi:10.1128/MCB.00742-10
- ↑ Galisteo ML, Dikic I, Batzer AG, Langdon WY, Schlessinger J. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the c-cbl proto-oncogene protein product and association with epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor upon EGF stimulation. J Biol Chem. 1995 Sep 1;270(35):20242-5. PMID:7657591
- ↑ Derrien A, Druey KM. RGS16 function is regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation. J Biol Chem. 2001 Dec 21;276(51):48532-8. Epub 2001 Oct 15. PMID:11602604 doi:10.1074/jbc.M108862200
- ↑ Shao H, Cheng HY, Cook RG, Tweardy DJ. Identification and characterization of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 recruitment sites within the epidermal growth factor receptor. Cancer Res. 2003 Jul 15;63(14):3923-30. PMID:12873986
- ↑ Arcaro A, Zvelebil MJ, Wallasch C, Ullrich A, Waterfield MD, Domin J. Class II phosphoinositide 3-kinases are downstream targets of activated polypeptide growth factor receptors. Mol Cell Biol. 2000 Jun;20(11):3817-30. PMID:10805725
- ↑ Habib AA, Chatterjee S, Park SK, Ratan RR, Lefebvre S, Vartanian T. The epidermal growth factor receptor engages receptor interacting protein and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B)-inducing kinase to activate NF-kappa B. Identification of a novel receptor-tyrosine kinase signalosome. J Biol Chem. 2001 Mar 23;276(12):8865-74. Epub 2000 Dec 14. PMID:11116146 doi:10.1074/jbc.M008458200
- ↑ Li Y, Ren J, Yu W, Li Q, Kuwahara H, Yin L, Carraway KL 3rd, Kufe D. The epidermal growth factor receptor regulates interaction of the human DF3/MUC1 carcinoma antigen with c-Src and beta-catenin. J Biol Chem. 2001 Sep 21;276(38):35239-42. Epub 2001 Aug 1. PMID:11483589 doi:10.1074/jbc.C100359200
- ↑ Wang SC, Nakajima Y, Yu YL, Xia W, Chen CT, Yang CC, McIntush EW, Li LY, Hawke DH, Kobayashi R, Hung MC. Tyrosine phosphorylation controls PCNA function through protein stability. Nat Cell Biol. 2006 Dec;8(12):1359-68. Epub 2006 Nov 19. PMID:17115032 doi:10.1038/ncb1501
- ↑ Hsu JM, Chen CT, Chou CK, Kuo HP, Li LY, Lin CY, Lee HJ, Wang YN, Liu M, Liao HW, Shi B, Lai CC, Bedford MT, Tsai CH, Hung MC. Crosstalk between Arg 1175 methylation and Tyr 1173 phosphorylation negatively modulates EGFR-mediated ERK activation. Nat Cell Biol. 2011 Feb;13(2):174-81. doi: 10.1038/ncb2158. Epub 2011 Jan 23. PMID:21258366 doi:10.1038/ncb2158
- ↑ Ogiso H, Ishitani R, Nureki O, Fukai S, Yamanaka M, Kim JH, Saito K, Sakamoto A, Inoue M, Shirouzu M, Yokoyama S. Crystal structure of the complex of human epidermal growth factor and receptor extracellular domains. Cell. 2002 Sep 20;110(6):775-87. PMID:12297050
- ↑ Ferguson KM, Berger MB, Mendrola JM, Cho HS, Leahy DJ, Lemmon MA. EGF activates its receptor by removing interactions that autoinhibit ectodomain dimerization. Mol Cell. 2003 Feb;11(2):507-17. PMID:12620237
- ↑ Wood ER, Truesdale AT, McDonald OB, Yuan D, Hassell A, Dickerson SH, Ellis B, Pennisi C, Horne E, Lackey K, Alligood KJ, Rusnak DW, Gilmer TM, Shewchuk L. A unique structure for epidermal growth factor receptor bound to GW572016 (Lapatinib): relationships among protein conformation, inhibitor off-rate, and receptor activity in tumor cells. Cancer Res. 2004 Sep 15;64(18):6652-9. PMID:15374980 doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-1168
- ↑ Red Brewer M, Choi SH, Alvarado D, Moravcevic K, Pozzi A, Lemmon MA, Carpenter G. The juxtamembrane region of the EGF receptor functions as an activation domain. Mol Cell. 2009 Jun 26;34(6):641-51. PMID:19560417 doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2009.04.034
- ↑ Lu C, Mi LZ, Grey MJ, Zhu J, Graef E, Yokoyama S, Springer TA. Structural Evidence for Loose Linkage between Ligand Binding and Kinase Activation in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor. Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Sep 13. PMID:20837704 doi:10.1128/MCB.00742-10
- ↑ Damghani T, Chitnis SP, Abidakun OA, Patel KB, Lin KS, Ouellette EA, Lantry AM, Heppner DE. Profiling and Optimizing Targeted Covalent Inhibitors through EGFR-Guided Studies. J Med Chem. 2025 Aug 28;68(16):17917-17932. PMID:40801664 doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c01661
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