Compare and contrast the activation mechanisms for the epide

Compare and contrast the activation mechanisms for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF) and the growth hormone (GH) receptor.

Solution

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF) Versus Growth hormone (GH) receptor:

1. Epidermal growth factor receptor gets activated upon binding of the ligand and two receptors form homodimerization or heterodimerization to initiate the signaling.

Growth hormone receptor occurs as a dimer. Following the binding of the ligand on both the copies, they form homodimers to act.

2. Binding of ligand to one copy EGFR is independent of the binding to the other copy.

Binding of ligand to one copy of GHR activates the binding of the ligand to the other copy.

3. Some EGFRs does not have direct ligand.

Activation of GHRs involves direct ligand binding.