Cross-talk and modulation of signaling between somatostatin and growth factor receptors

The process of homo- and/or heterodimerization of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) families are crucial for implicating the fundamental properties of receptor proteins including receptor expression, trafficking, and desensitization as well as signal transduction. The members of GPCR and RTK family constitute largest cell surface receptor proteins and regulate physiological functions of cells in response to external and internal stimuli. Notably, GPCRs and RTKs play major role in regulation of several key cellular functions which are associated with several pathological conditions including cancer biology, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The focus of this review is to highlight the recent findings on the possible cross-talk between somatostatin receptors (members of GPCR family) and growth factor receptors like epidermal growth factor receptors (members of RTK family). Furthermore, functional consequences of such an interaction in modulation of signaling pathways linked to pathological conditions specifically in cancer are discussed. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.