What type of activity is common in oncogenes such as EGFR and HER2?

Oncogenes like EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) are known to play significant roles in cell signaling pathways that regulate cell division, survival, and differentiation. The common characteristic of these oncogenes is their tyrosine-kinase activity.

Tyrosine kinases are enzymes that facilitate the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a tyrosine residue in a protein substrate, which can activate or deactivate various signaling pathways within the cell. In the case of EGFR and HER2, their activation promotes cell proliferation and survival, often contributing to the development and progression of certain types of cancer, particularly breast cancer and other epithelial tumors.

The presence of tyrosine-kinase activity in these receptors is critical for their function as they initiate signaling cascades that lead to various cellular outcomes. This makes tyrosine-kinase inhibitors a targeted therapy for cancers that overexpress these receptors, highlighting their importance in oncogenesis.