ErbB2-HER2
The ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase family (RTK class I) consists of four cell surface receptors: ErbB1/EGFR/HER1, and ErbB2-4/HER2-4[1]. ERbB receptor tyrosine kinases have important roles in human cancer. The gene symbol, ErbB, is derived from the name of a viral oncogene to which these receptors are homologous: Erythroblastic Leukemia Viral Oncogene. Insufficient ErbB signaling in humans is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.[2] Additionally, research revealed that the expression or activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and ErbB2 are altered in many epithelial tumors, and clinical studies indicate that they have important roles in tumor aetiology and progression[3].
[1] Regulation of ERBB Receptors.C.S. Gerbin.Nature Education 2010, 3(9), 36.
[2] The EGF receptor family: spearheading a merger of signaling and therapeutics. E.M. Bublil, Y. Yarden. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 2007, 19 (2), 124–134.
[3] ERBB receptors and cancer: the complexity of targeted inhibitors. N.E.Hynes,H.A. Lane. Nat Rev Cancer. 2005, 5(5),341.