The Role of PDGFs and PDGFRs in Colorectal Cancer

Figure 1

The family of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors (PDGFRs) and their functions. Five specific ligands isoforms (PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, PDGF-CC, and PDGF-DD) interact with three of their receptors dimers (PDGFR-αα, PDGFR-αβ, and PDGFR-ββ) and initiate a complex MAP-kinase signaling cascade that activates specific genes involved in angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.