Description
Platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR) are cell surface tyrosine kinase receptors for members of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family. The PDGF family consists of PDGF-A, -B, -C and -D, which form either homo- or heterodimers (PDGF-AA, -AB, -BB, -CC, -DD). The four PDGFs are inactive in their monomeric forms. PDGFs bind to the protein tyrosine kinase receptors PDGF receptor-alpha and -beta. These two receptor isoforms dimerize upon binding the PDGF dimer, leading to three possible receptor combinations, namely -alphaalpha, -betabeta and -alphabeta. PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta are members of the class III RTK family. Inappropriate PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta signaling has been linked to a number of proliferative disorders