Affibody® Imaging Agent, Negative Control

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

The ErbB2 also known as HER2 or HER2 protein is a transmembrane receptor protein with a molecular weight of about 185 kDa. It serves as part of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. The ErbB2 protein is expressed mainly in epithelial tissues including those of the breast and the gastrointestinal tract. It lacks a known ligand-binding domain which sets it apart from other members of its family. Due to its structure ErbB2 dimerizes with other members of the EGFR family to exert its effects in cellular signaling.

Biological function summary

The role of ErbB2 extends beyond a singular function. It becomes an active component when forming heterodimers with other EGFR family members such as ErbB3 to initiate various downstream signaling cascades. The dimerization activates intracellular pathways leading to cell proliferation survival differentiation and migration. Within cells ErbB2 influences processes critical for normal development and tissue homeostasis contributing significantly to signal transduction networks.

Pathways

ErbB2 plays a pivotal role in pathways such as the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways. These pathways are important in mediating cellular responses to growth signals. The PI3K/Akt pathway activated by HER2 signaling regulates cell growth and survival while the MAPK/ERK pathway contributes to cell differentiation and proliferation. ErbB2's interaction with proteins like ErbB3 is fundamental in these pathways increasing the amplitude and diversity of downstream signals.

ErbB2 is significantly associated with breast cancer and gastric cancer. The overexpression or gene amplification of HER2 is observed in approximately 20% of breast cancer cases correlating with aggressive tumor growth and poor prognosis. ErbB2-related signaling contributes to oncogenic processes by promoting excessive cell proliferation. Targeting ErbB2 in these cancers is common using therapies such as monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab. In the context of gastric cancer the role of ErbB2 mirrors its function in breast cancer and targeting HER2 holds therapeutic potential.