The RTK RAS MEK signaling pathway begins when a ligand binds to a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), causing it to dimerize and autophosphorylate. This creates binding sites for the adaptor protein Grb2 and associated protein SOS. The Grb2-SOS complex activates RAS via catalyzing GDP-GTP exchange. Activated RAS recruits RAF to the membrane where it is activated. RAF then phosphorylates MEK, which phosphorylates ERK. ERK phosphorylates transcription factors like ELK-1, leading to expression of genes involved in growth responses. Activated ELK-1 also stimulates a phosphatase to deactivate ERK.