Epidermal growth factor
Epidermal growth factor is a protein that stimulates cell growth and differentiation by binding to its receptor, EGFR. Human EGF is 6-kDa and has 53 amino acid residues and three intramolecular disulfide bonds.
EGF was originally described as a secreted peptide found in the submaxillary glands of mice and in human urine. EGF has since been found in many human tissues, including platelets, submandibular gland, and parotid gland. Initially, human EGF was known as urogastrone.
Structure
In humans, EGF has 53 amino acids, with a molecular mass of around 6 kDa. It contains three disulfide bridges.Function
EGF, via binding to its cognate receptor, results in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival.Salivary EGF, which seems to be regulated by dietary inorganic iodine, also plays an important physiological role in the maintenance of oro-esophageal and gastric tissue integrity. The biological effects of salivary EGF include healing of oral and gastroesophageal ulcers, inhibition of gastric acid secretion, stimulation of DNA synthesis as well as mucosal protection from intraluminal injurious factors such as gastric acid, bile acids, pepsin, and trypsin and to physical, chemical and bacterial agents.
Biological sources
The Epidermal growth factor can be found in platelets, urine, saliva, milk, tears, and blood plasma. It can also be found in the submandibular glands, and the parotid gland. The production of EGF has been found to be stimulated by testosterone.Polypeptide growth factors
Polypeptide growth factors include:| Sr.No | Growth factor | Source | Major function |
| 1 | Epidermal growth factor | Salivary gland | Stimulates growth of epidermal and epithelial cells |
| 2 | Platelet derived growth factor | Platelets | Stimulates growth of mesenchymal cells, promotes wound healing |
| 3 | Transforming growth factor-alpha | Epithelial cell | Similar to EGF |
| 4 | Transforming growth factor-beta | Platelets, Kidney, Placenta | Inhibitory effect on cultures tumor cell |
| 5 | Erythropoietin | Kidney | Stimulates development of erythropoietic cells |
| 6 | Nerve growth factor | Salivary gland | Stimulates the growth of sensory nerves |
| 7 | Insulin-like growth factor | Serum | Stimulates incorporation of sulfates into cartilage, exerts insulin-like action on certain cells |
| 8 | Tumor necrosis factor | Monocytes | Necrosis of tumor cells |
| 9 | Interleukin-1 | Monocytes, Leukocytes | Stimulates synthesis of IL-2 |
| 10 | Interleukin-2 | Lymphocytes | Stimulates growth and maturation of T-cells |
Mechanism
EGF acts by binding with high affinity to epidermal growth factor receptor on the cell surface. This stimulates ligand-induced dimerization, activating the intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor. The tyrosine kinase activity, in turn, initiates a signal transduction cascade that results in a variety of biochemical changes within the cell – a rise in intracellular calcium levels, increased glycolysis and protein synthesis, and increases in the expression of certain genes including the gene for EGFR – that ultimately lead to DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.EGF-family / EGF-like domain
EGF is the founding member of the EGF-family of proteins. Members of this protein family have highly similar structural and functional characteristics. Besides EGF itself other family members include:- Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor
- transforming growth factor-α
- Amphiregulin
- Epiregulin
- Epigen
- Betacellulin
- neuregulin-1
- neuregulin-2
- neuregulin-3
- neuregulin-4.
CX7CX4-5CX10-13CXCX8GXRC
Where C is cysteine, G is glycine, R is arginine, and X represents any amino acid.
This sequence contains six cysteine residues that form three intramolecular disulfide bonds. Disulfide bond formation generates three structural loops that are essential for high-affinity binding between members of the EGF-family and their cell-surface receptors.
Interactions
Epidermal growth factor has been shown to interact with epidermal growth factor receptors.Medical uses
human epidermal growth factor, sold under the brand name Heberprot-P, is used to treat diabetic foot ulcers. It can be given by injection into the wound site, or may be used topically. Tentative evidence shows improved wound healing. Safety has been poorly studied.EGF is used to modify synthetic scaffolds for manufacturing of bioengineered grafts by emulsion electrospinning or surface modification methods.