Structure of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase domain alone and in complex with a 4-anilinoquinazoline inhibitor.
Stamos, J., Sliwkowski, M.X., Eigenbrot, C.(2002) J Biol Chem 277: 46265-46272
- PubMed: 12196540 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M207135200
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1M14, 1M17 - PubMed Abstract: 
The crystal structure of the kinase domain from the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRK) including forty amino acids from the carboxyl-terminal tail has been determined to 2.6-A resolution, both with and without an EGFRK-specific inhibitor currently in Phase III clinical trials as an anti-cancer agent, erlotinib (OSI-774, CP-358,774, Tarceva(TM)). The EGFR family members are distinguished from all other known receptor tyrosine kinases in possessing constitutive kinase activity without a phosphorylation event within their kinase domains. Despite its lack of phosphorylation, we find that the EGFRK activation loop adopts a conformation similar to that of the phosphorylated active form of the kinase domain from the insulin receptor. Surprisingly, key residues of a putative dimerization motif lying between the EGFRK domain and carboxyl-terminal substrate docking sites are found in close contact with the kinase domain. Significant intermolecular contacts involving the carboxyl-terminal tail are discussed with respect to receptor oligomerization.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Protein Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA.