Signal transduction refers to the processes by which cells receive signals, generally from their external environment, and convert them into intracellular responses. Signalling involves a series of molecular events that transmit information from the cell surface to the nucleus (or other cellular compartments), ultimately leading to changes in gene expression or alterations in cell functions that are frequently relevant to cancer, such as cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. In the context of cancer development, signal transduction plays crucial roles in many aspects of the initiation, progression and spread of cancer. For example, aberrant activation of pro-proliferative signalling pathways, such as the Ras-MAPK pathway or the PI3K-AKT pathway, can lead to uncontrolled cell division and promote tumour initiation. Whilst Ras mutations and activation of downstream signalling pathways are important for tumour initiation, not all tumours require sustained Ras activity for their maintenance, with some tumours developing additional alterations in other signalling pathways that bypass or compensate for the need for Ras signalling. These compensatory mechanisms can allow tumour cells to survive and proliferate even if Ras signalling is inhibited. However, many tumours with Ras mutations remain dependent on sustained Ras signalling for their growth and survival. In such cases, targeting Ras signalling becomes an attractive therapeutic strategy. Signal transduction pathways also regulate cell survival by promoting or inhibiting apoptosis. Alterations in these pathways can disrupt the normal activation of apoptotic signalling, allowing cancer cells to evade cell death and survive, leading to tumour formation. Thus mutations in p53 or Bcl-2 inactivate these tumour suppressor genes and can disrupt apoptotic signalling. Tumours require a blood supply to sustain their growth, and signal transduction pathways play a critical role in angiogenesis. Abnormal activation of signalling pathways, such as VEGF acting through VEGF receptors, can promote the development of blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the growing tumour. Signal transduction pathways are also involved in the regulation of cell migration and invasion, which are critical steps in cancer metastasis. Dysregulation of signalling pathways, such as Wnt (Wingless-related integration site) and TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-beta) pathways, can enhance the invasive properties of cancer cells, allowing them to spread to distant sites in the body. Finally, signal transduction pathways often contain key proteins that can be targeted by cancer therapies. Inhibition of specific signalling molecules or pathways via small molecule inhibitors can help disrupt the aberrant signals driving cancer growth, providing opportunities for targeted therapies and personalized medicine. As an example, mutations of EGFR are found in some cancers including NSCLC, and drugs targeting EGFR, such as gefitinib and erlotinib, have been developed to inhibit EGFR activity in patients harbouring these mutations. We provide a wide product range of research tools for investigating signal transduction, including EGFR antibodies, FAK antibodies, Estrogen Receptor alpha antibodies, EGFR ELISA Kits, and NF-kB p65 ELISA Kits. Explore our full signal transduction product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our Protein Phosphorylation, Nuclear Signaling, and G Protein Signaling product ranges.