EGF: Proteins and Enzymes

EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) is expressed as a transmembrane protein that is proteolytically cleaved to generate soluble forms. It signals through EGF R/ErbB1 which heterodimerizes with ErbB2, ErbB3, or ErbB4 and can also associate with PDGF R beta and HGF R/c-MET. During development, EGF regulates thymocyte differentiation, neuroglia production, and adipocyte maturation. In the adult, EGF plays a role in mammary gland lactogenesis, fibroblast mitosis, dissociation of the extracellular matrix, and cell migration.