Figure 2. Signaling pathways mediated by EGFR/EGFRvIII.
EGFR and EGFRvIII are able to transduce signals via classic RTK pathways including the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway, the PI3K/AKT pathway, the JAK/STAT pathway and the PKC pathway. The function of mitochondrial EGFR was also reported. Mitochondrial EGFR effector includes COXII. EGFR and EGFRvIII can also localize to the nucleus to activate a group of transcription factors and proteins involved in DNA damage responses, such as DNA-PK, PCNA, histone H4 and STATs. EGFRvIII has some unique signaling effectors. Activation of these signaling pathways and effector molecules together promote the fitness of the tumors.