Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
Available Resources for EGF Research
Creative BioMart offers comprehensive support to researchers studying EGF ligands, including a variety of carefully developed products and extensive resources. These valuable resources provide researchers with a valuable reference to deepen their understanding of the critical roles of EGF ligands in various physiological processes and diseases.
- Our product range includes recombinant proteins, protein pre-coupled magnetic beads, cell and tissue lysate, etc.
- We are also committed to providing rich EGF ligand resources, which cover important topics, including involved pathways, protein functions, interacting proteins, related articles, and research fields.
Our Featured Products
| Cat.# | Product name | Species | Source (Host) | Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTC-10315H | Recombinant Human BTC, GST-tagged | Human | E.coli | GST |
| EGF-12320H | Recombinant Human EGF, GST-tagged | Human | E.coli | GST |
| EGFL6-734M | Recombinant Mouse EGFL6 Protein, His-tagged | Mouse | Insect Cell | His |
| Egfl7-4033M | Recombinant Mouse Egfl7 protein, His-tagged | Mouse | Insect Cells | His |
| Ereg-576M | Active Recombinant Mouse Ereg, Fc tagged | Mouse | HEK293 | Fc |
| HBEGF-13682H | Recombinant Human HBEGF, GST-tagged | Human | E.coli | GST |
| Lrig1-6980M | Recombinant Mouse Lrig1 protein, His-tagged | Mouse | HEK293 | His |
| NRG2-267H | Recombinant Human NRG2, GST-tagged | Human | Wheat Germ | N/A |
| NRG4-1365H | Recombinant Human NRG4, GST-tagged | Human | E.coli | GST |
| TGFA-3208H | Recombinant Human TGFA, GST-tagged | Human | E.coli | GST |
About EGF
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a protein that plays a crucial role in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. It belongs to the family of growth factors known as the EGF family. EGF was first discovered in the 1960s as a factor responsible for promoting the growth of epidermal cells.
EGF is produced and secreted by various cell types, including fibroblasts, macrophages, and epithelial cells. EGF exerts its effects by binding to the EGF receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane protein with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Upon binding, EGF triggers a signaling cascade that influences cellular processes such as cell cycle progression, DNA synthesis, and cell migration.
Signaling Pathways of EGF
The EGF signaling pathway is a complex cascade of molecular events that occurs upon binding of EGF to its receptor, the EGFR. The pathway regulates various cellular processes, including cell growth, proliferation, survival, differentiation, and migration. Here is an overview of the EGF signaling pathway:
1. Binding of EGF to EGFR: EGF, a soluble protein, binds to EGFR, a receptor tyrosine kinase located on the cell surface. EGF binding induces a conformational change in EGFR, leading to receptor dimerization. EGFR exists as a monomer on the cell surface before ligand binding.
2. Activation of EGFR: Dimerization of EGFR promotes the activation of its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. The kinase domain of one EGFR monomer phosphorylates specific tyrosine residues on the other monomer, resulting in trans-autophosphorylation. This autophosphorylation step is crucial for initiating downstream signaling events.
3. Recruitment of Signaling Molecules: Phosphorylated tyrosine residues on activated EGFR serve as docking sites for various adaptor proteins and signaling molecules. These include Grb2 (Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2) and Shc (Src homology and collagen) proteins, which are crucial for the activation of downstream signaling pathways.
4. Activation of Ras-MAPK Pathway: Grb2, in association with SOS (Son of Sevenless), recruits and activates Ras, a small GTPase protein. Activated Ras then triggers a cascade of events involving the activation of the MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) pathway. This pathway includes phosphorylation and activation of Raf, MEK (MAPK/ERK kinase), and ERK (Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase), leading to the activation of various transcription factors and gene expression changes.
5. Activation of PI3K-Akt Pathway: EGFR signaling also activates the PI3K (Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase) pathway, which plays a role in cell survival, growth, and metabolism. Activation of PI3K leads to the production of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), which recruits and activates Akt (protein kinase B). Akt, in turn, phosphorylates and regulates multiple downstream targets involved in cell survival and proliferation.
6. Other Signaling Pathways: EGF signaling can also activate other pathways, such as the STAT (Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription) pathway, which involves the phosphorylation and activation of STAT proteins. These proteins translocate to the nucleus and regulate gene expression.
7. Negative Regulation: To prevent excessive and prolonged signaling, negative feedback mechanisms exist in the EGF pathway. For example, activated EGFR can be internalized through endocytosis and undergo degradation. Additionally, phosphatases, such as protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), dephosphorylate activated signaling components, attenuating the pathway.
The EGF signaling pathway is highly regulated and tightly controlled to ensure proper cellular responses. Dysregulation of this pathway, such as mutations in EGFR or aberrant activation, can contribute to various diseases, including cancer.
Fig.2 Potential EGFR signaling pathways activated by ligand binding. (Chen J, et al., 2016)
Following binding, a number of cytoplasmic tyrosine residues are autophosphorylated by the intrinsic receptor kinase. Major pathways mediating EGFR actions include Ras/Raf/MAPK, Stat-1/Stat-3, PI3K/Akt, and Shc/Grb2/Sos1/Rsk2, although other signaling molecules have also been reported to mediate EGFR's actions.
Physiological Functions of EGF
The functions of EGF are diverse and essential for normal development and tissue homeostasis. Here are some key roles of EGF:
- Epidermal Cell Growth and Wound Healing: EGF stimulates the growth and division of epidermal cells, promoting the regeneration and repair of damaged skin. It accelerates wound healing by promoting cell migration, proliferation, and tissue remodeling.
- Epithelial Development and Maintenance: EGF is involved in the development and maintenance of various epithelial tissues, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. It promotes the growth and differentiation of epithelial cells, ensuring the integrity and proper functioning of these tissues.
- Stem Cell Regulation: EGF plays a role in the maintenance and regulation of stem cells in various tissues. It helps in the self-renewal of stem cells and influences their differentiation into specific cell types, contributing to tissue regeneration and repair.
- Cancer and Tumor Growth: Abnormal activation of the EGF signaling pathway, often due to mutations in the EGFR gene or overexpression of EGF ligands, is associated with the development and progression of various cancers. In cancer cells, EGF signaling can promote cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and angiogenesis.
- Neurological Functions: EGF and its receptors are also found in the central nervous system, where they play a role in neurogenesis, neuronal survival, and synaptic plasticity. EGF is involved in brain development and has implications in neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Related References
- Boonstra J, Rijken P, Humbel B, Cremers F, Verkleij A, van Bergen en Henegouwen P. The epidermal growth factor. Cell Biol Int. 1995 May;19(5):413-30. doi: 10.1006/cbir.1995.1086. PMID: 7640657.
- Chen J, Zeng F, Forrester SJ, Eguchi S, Zhang MZ, Harris RC. Expression and Function of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Physiology and Disease. Physiol Rev. 2016;96(3):1025-1069. doi:10.1152/physrev.00030.2015
