Cancer Pathway Activated from 'Below' (IMAGE) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Caption FER activates a receptor called MET from below, i.e., in the absence of a growth factor like HGF docking at the receptor surface. MET is often overexpressed in aggressive ovarian cancers. Drs. Fan and Tonks call this form of activation "non-ligand-dependent," and in a complex series of biochemical and animal experiments, traced the pathway through which FER's binding to MET inside the cell sets off a cascade of cell-signaling events, all directly connected in prior research with cancer initiation. this suggests the potential utility of a drug blocking or inactivating FER. Credit Tonks Lab, CSHL/Genes&Development Usage Restrictions pls give credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.