PI3K/Akt/mTOR · target hub

ERBB3

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-3 (ERBB3)

ERBB3 is a Upstream RTK–Ras–MAPK node on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis. Tyrosine-protein kinase that plays an essential role as cell surface receptor for neuregulins. Binds to neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and is activated by it; ligand-binding increases phosphorylation on tyrosine residues and promotes its association with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinosi… It is indexed under "Major receptor tyrosine kinases (selected)" on our pathway page for antibodies, inhibitors, and assay guidance.

Back to pathway overviewSearch: ERBB3UniProt (P21860)

Research notes

  • Combine with other genes in the same hub block via genetics or pharmacology to test non-redundant roles of ERBB3.
  • Annotate PIK3CA/PTEN and upstream RTK–Ras context when reading p-AKT, mTORC1/2, or lipid outputs.
  • Verify antibody clone, phospho-site, and stimulation; include KD/KO or inhibitor controls.

On the pathway hub (sections)

Activating lesions & amplification (quick reference)

Type / exampleDomain / context (brief)
Kinase domainKinase-domain activating lesions (RTK-dependent)
Fusion / amplificationFusion or amplification (cohort-dependent)
CN gainCopy gain and overexpression

Naming and prevalence vary by cohort and assay—annotate clinically with COSMIC, ClinVar, OncoKB, and datasheets; research context only.

Assay readouts for ERBB3

  • Receptor phosphorylation: p-RTK or p-Tyr blots—ligand time courses.
  • Downstream: p-AKT and p-ERK—partition PI3K vs MAPK dependence.
  • Genetics: KRAS/BRAF/PTEN context; bypass on resistance.
  • Inhibitor matrix: RTK/MEK/PI3K-selective agents.

ERBB3 experimental notes

Examples below reflect common literature and public resources (e.g., CCLE, DepMap)—validate genotypes, expression, and passage in your own stocks before committing assays.

[1] Cell lines commonly used for ERBB3 studies (examples)

  • Tool lines: A549, HepG2, PC-9, Ba/F3, HEK293T—screen by ERBB3 expression and pathway context (CCLE/DepMap).
  • Combine with neighbors (EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB4, PDGFRA) via KD/pharmacology to test non-redundancy.
  • Overexpression/rescue in HEK293T supports mechanism and IP workflows.
  • Isogenic/CRISPR models separate pathway dependency from bypass survival.

[2] Cell samples for ERBB3 Western blot

  • Whole-cell lysates—optimize RIPA/NP-40 per antibody; phosphatase inhibitors for phospho blots.
  • Stimulation: serum starvation ± insulin/EGF or amino-acid withdrawal/refeed as relevant.
  • Controls: siRNA/shRNA, CRISPR KO, or inhibitors to validate band specificity.
  • Loading: BCA normalization; subcellular fractionation when needed.

[3] Tissue samples for ERBB3 Western blot

  • Matched tumor/adjacent frozen tissues after pathology review.
  • Mouse GEMM or xenografts—mind species antibody cross-reactivity.
  • Primary cells/PDCs when ethically approved.
  • FFPE needs specialized extraction; frozen tissue preferred for phospho work.

[4] Cell samples for ERBB3 immunoprecipitation

  • Tagged overexpression: HEK293T FLAG/HA-ERBB3 for complex capture.
  • Endogenous IP: high-expression lines; often ≥1–5×10⁶ cells per IP.
  • Stimulation: ligand or nutrient treatments enrich interactions—pilot time courses.
  • Controls: isotype IgG, empty vector, KD/KO negatives.

Human tissues and primary cells require ethics/IRB approval; tumors are heterogeneous—record histotype, site, and preservation conditions.

Bypass & related pathways

Models & genetics note

Overexpression vs endogenous ERBB3 can differ in dosage, splicing, and compartmentation—in organoids/PDX, record passage, matrix, and drug history.

Quick search presets

ERBB3ERBB3 antibodyPI3K inhibitormTOR inhibitor

ERBB3-related antibodies (keyword-biased)

Adds ERBB3 keyword bias atop the PI3K/Akt/mTOR antibody pool—if sparse, use presets above or global search.

Neighboring targets (same hub)

EGFRERBB2ERBB4PDGFRAPDGFRBKITFLT1FLT3

External databases & resources

FAQ

This content supports research reagents and pathway education—not medical advice. Annotate mutations, drug indications, and protocols with authoritative databases, datasheets, and institutional oversight.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-18

Related on this site

See the PI3K/Akt/mTOR hub for neighboring nodes and assay guidance—cross-check MAPK, RTK, metabolism, and autophagy pages as needed.

PI3K/Akt/mTOR·MAPK/ERK·Receptor tyrosine kinase·Metabolism