Final answer:
The pathway steps of RTK-MAPK involve ligand binding to receptor tyrosine kinases, activation of the MAPK pathway, and phosphorylation of transcription factors and nuclear proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pathway steps of RTK-MAPK (Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) involve a series of signaling molecules and phosphorylation events.
- Ligands called growth factors bind to cell-surface receptors known as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which activate the MAPK pathway.
- The activated RTKs activate a G-protein called RAS.
- RAS, in turn, triggers a phosphorylation cascade involving a series of kinase enzymes, including MAPKKK, MAPKK, and MAPK.
- Finally, MAPK phosphorylates transcription factors and other nuclear proteins, regulating gene activity and leading to cell proliferation and differentiation.