Hepatocyte growth factor receptor

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Met Gene

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Met Pathway

Hepatocyte growth factor receptor

The Hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR), also known as c-Met, is a protein encoded by the MET gene in humans. This receptor is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family and plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including cell growth, cell motility, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis.

Structure

The c-Met receptor is a single-pass transmembrane protein composed of an extracellular ligand-binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. The extracellular domain is responsible for binding to its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor (SF).

Function

Upon binding to HGF, c-Met undergoes dimerization and autophosphorylation on specific tyrosine residues within its intracellular domain. This activation triggers a cascade of downstream signaling pathways, including the PI3K/AKT pathway, RAS/MAPK pathway, and STAT pathway, which are involved in regulating cell proliferation, survival, and migration.

Clinical Significance

Aberrant activation of c-Met has been implicated in various cancers, including lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Overexpression, gene amplification, and mutations in the MET gene can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis. As a result, c-Met is considered a potential target for cancer therapy, and several c-Met inhibitors are currently being investigated in clinical trials.

Research and Therapeutic Development

Research on c-Met has led to the development of various therapeutic agents, including small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and HGF antagonists. These agents aim to block the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway and inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

Related Pages

• Receptor tyrosine kinase
• Hepatocyte growth factor
• PI3K/AKT pathway
• RAS/MAPK pathway
• STAT pathway
• Cancer
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastric cancer

See Also

• Cell signaling
• Oncogene
• Tumor suppressor gene
• Signal transduction