The cytoplasmic domain of EGFR contains tyrosine, serine and threonine phosphorylation sites. Dimerization of EGFR activates its intrinsic protein kinase activity and results in autophosphorylation of 5 of these sites (Y992, Y1068, Y1086, Y1148 and Y1173). Tyrosine autophosphorylation is crucial for normal receptor signalling as it provides specific binding sites for cytosolic target proteins involved in signal transmission.