Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are proteins located on the surface of cells that act like communication antennas. They detect signals such as growth factors from the environment and then activate inside the cell to trigger responses like cell growth, division, or survival. When a signal binds to the RTK, it causes the receptor to pair up with another identical receptor (dimerize) and activate its inner part (kinase activity), which adds phosphate groups to specific proteins. This process initiates a cascade of signals that control important cellular functions, making RTKs crucial for normal development and tissue maintenance.