Discoidin domain-containing receptor 2

Discoidin domain-containing receptor 2, also known as CD167b (is_associated_with::cluster of differentiation 167b), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DDR2 is_associated_with::gene. Discoidin domain-containing receptor 2 is a is_associated_with::receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK).

Function
RTKs play a key role in the communication of cells with their microenvironment. These molecules are involved in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism. In several cases the biochemical mechanism by which RTKs transduce signals across the membrane has been shown to be ligand induced receptor oligomerization and subsequent intracellular is_associated_with::phosphorylation. In the case of DDR2, the ligand is is_associated_with::collagen which binds to its extracellular discoidin domain. This is_associated_with::autophosphorylation leads to phosphorylation of cytosolic targets as well as association with other molecules, which are involved in is_associated_with::pleiotropic effects of signal transduction. DDR2 has been associated with a number of diseases including is_associated_with::fibrosis and is_associated_with::cancer.

Structure
RTKs have a tripartite structure with extracellular, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic regions. This gene encodes a member of a novel subclass of RTKs and contains a distinct extracellular region encompassing a is_associated_with::factor VIII-like domain.

Gene
Alternative splicing in the 5' UTR of the DDR2 gene results in multiple transcript variants encoding the same protein.

Interactions
DDR2 (gene) has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::SHC1 and phosphorylate is_associated_with::Shp2. DDR2 also interacts with is_associated_with::Integrin α1β1 and α2β1 by promoting their adhesion to collagen.