Cross-membrane signal transduction of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs): from systems biology to systems pharmacology.

Receptor tyrosine kinases are high-affinity cell surface receptors for many polypeptide growth factors, cytokines, and hormones. They straddle the cell wall and play an important role in cross-membrane signalling. We present a two-component systems pharmacology model based on the local physiology and identify characteristic features of its dynamics. We thus present a transparent tool for studying the effects of drug intervention and ways of administration on cross-membrane signalling through these receptors.