Figure 7. Schematic diagram of HER3/MUC4 mediated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation.

In HER2 low pancreatic cancer cells [B], HER3 associates with MUC4 that leads to increased PI3K activity that promote cell proliferation than HER2 high pancreatic cancer cells [A]. Further, phosphorylation of ERK and c-Myc are also involved in HER3/MUC4 mediated signaling pathways in HER2 low pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, our studies suggested increased motility due to increased phosphorylation of Focal adhesion kinase and phosphorylation of Src in HER2 low pancreatic cancer cells. Collectively, loss of both HER2 and HER3 leads to decreased proliferation, which suggests that both HER2 and HER3 are involved in MUC4 mediated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation