Receptor Tyrosine Kinases

Dear Colleagues,

Since the earliest discoveries of growth factors in the 1950s and of transmembrane receptors for these factors that possess protein tyrosine kinase activity in the 1970s, the body of knowledge on receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has increased appreciably. The uniqueness in structure and ligand-binding specificities of the ectodomain of RTKs determines their subclassification, and today we know of the existence of around 20 different RTK classes, with a number and diversity of ligands that is ever increasing. Despite this diversity, RTKs continue to together represent a major group of molecules that play important roles in both health and disease. Normal RTK function is associated with development, cell and tissue growth and differentiation and cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction, whereas RTK overactivity and/or overexpression is a common feature in many cancers. However, novel aspects to RTK structure and function are increasingly becoming apparent as more research is being done. Amongst these include ligand-dependent and -independent mechanisms of activation, alternative and unexpected receptor clustering patterns, spatial and temporal control of RTK signalling, intracellular RTK functions, RTKs as entry gateways for pathogens, and as highly attractive candidates in target-specific cancer therapy. The aim with this Special Issue of Cells is to offer an Open Access collection of scholarly reviews on the forefront of research on RTKs that covers all of the above aspects and more. We hope to provide a stimulating resource that will inform the student and the academic on the breadth and diversity of RTK biology. This is a field that is sure to maintain a high level of interest and research activity from both academic and industrial sectors with interests in science and medicine well into the future.

Dr. Sassan Hafizi
Guest Editor

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