Distinct interactions stabilize EGFR dimers and higher-order oligomers in cell membranes

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) with important roles in many cellular processes as well as cancer and other diseases. EGF binding promotes EGFR dimerization and autophosphorylation through interactions that are well understood structurally. However, it is not clear how these dimers relate to higher-order EGFR oligomers detected at the cell surface. We used single-particle tracking (SPT) and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging to examine how each domain within EGFR contributes to receptor dimerization and the rate of its diffusion in the cell membrane. We show that the EGFR extracellular region is sufficient to drive receptor dimerization, but that the EGF-induced EGFR slow-down seen by SPT requires formation of higher order oligomers, mediated in part by the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain – but only when in its active conformation. Our data thus provide important insight into higher-order EGFR interactions required for EGF signaling.