Question

Match the inhibitor w/ the cell signaling pathway that it inhibits.

a) Erlotinib - EGFR pathway
b) Statins - MAPK/ERK pathway
c) Cyclopamine - Hedgehog pathway
d) Rapamycin - Notch pathway

Answer 1

The inhibitor Erlotinib inhibits the EGFR pathway, Cyclopamine inhibits the Hedgehog pathway, and Rapamycin inhibits the mTOR pathway rather than the Notch pathway. Statins are primarily known for inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and not directly the MAPK/ERK pathway.

Step-by-step explanation:

Matching inhibitors with the correct cell signaling pathways they inhibit is essential for understanding targeted drug therapy in diseases such as cancer. The correct matches are:

Erlotinib inhibits the EGFR pathway.

Statins inhibit the cholesterol synthesis pathway, not directly the MAPK/ERK pathway.

Cyclopamine inhibits the Hedgehog pathway.

The effects of specific inhibitors on signaling pathways can be critical in treating diseases. For instance, blocking the EGFR pathway with a chemical like Erlotinib can interfere with the replication of cancerous cells that overexpress EGFR, a common feature in certain cancers.