EGF

Fig1. Schematic diagram showing the EGF effects in different tissues. (Giuseppe Scalabrino, 2020)

What is EGF protein?

EGF gene (epidermal growth factor) is a protein coding gene which situated on the long arm of chromosome 4 at locus 4q25. This gene encodes a member of the epidermal growth factor superfamily. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the 53-amino acid epidermal growth factor peptide. This protein acts a potent mitogenic factor that plays an important role in the growth, proliferation and differentiation of numerous cell types. This protein acts by binding with high affinity to the cell surface receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor. The EGF protein is consisted of 1207 amino acids and EGF molecular weight is approximately 134.0 kDa.

What is the function of EGF protein?

EGF protein is a signaling molecule that plays a crucial role in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. It functions by binding to the EGF receptor (EGFR) on the cell surface, triggering a cascade of intracellular signals that promote cell division and survival, particularly in epithelial cells. This process is essential for tissue repair and regeneration, and EGF also contributes to the development and maintenance of various organs and tissues.

EGF related signaling pathway

By binding to its receptor EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), EGF protein activates a variety of intracellular signaling pathways, thus playing a key role in cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. These signaling pathways include Ras/MAPK, PLCγ1/PKC, PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT, which together regulate gene expression and influence cell cycle progression and cell metabolism. Abnormal activation of EGFR signal is associated with the occurrence and development of many cancers, so it has become an important target for cancer therapy. In addition, EGFR plays a role in tissue repair, nervous system development, and certain neurodegenerative diseases.

EGF related diseases

Abnormal EGF is associated with a variety of diseases, especially the occurrence and development of tumors. In tumors, overexpression of EGF can promote uncontrolled cell growth and division, leading to the formation of malignant tumors. For example, in diseases such as stomach cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma, the expression of EGF and its receptor, EGFR, is often abnormally increased. In addition, EGF also plays a role in the treatment of diabetic ulcers, and its reduction is one of the molecular mechanisms of chronic diabetic ulcers, so EGF administration may be considered as an alternative therapy. However, overstimulation of EGF may also lead to abnormal cell proliferation and even tumor initiation.

Bioapplications of EGF

In medicine, EGF is used to promote the repair and healing of corneal injuries, burns, and surgical wounds. It can accelerate the generation of new cells, increase the number of new cells, promote skin cell metabolism, help to enhance skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles, so it is also used in anti-aging and beauty fields. In addition, EGF also plays a role in the protection and repair of digestive tract mucosa, and has potential value in the treatment of digestive tract ulcers and other diseases.

Case Study 1: Perrine Jacquot, 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, but they face challenges like low response rates and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to their broad target binding. To enhance tumor specificity, researchers engineered a bispecific Nanofitin by combining anti-EGFR and anti-PDL1 modules. Recombinant Human EGF Protein was used for WB analysis. This design allows for selective targeting of tumor cells co-expressing both markers, potentially reducing irAEs while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Fig1. EGFR phosphorylation level in the presence or the absence of EGF.

Fig2. Monitoring of the immune checkpoint inhibition activity of B11 and B10-B11 using a PD1/PDL1 blockage bioassay.

Case Study 2: Tiange Gao, 2022

Engineering flexible molecules to adopt specific conformations for new functions is challenging. Researchers previously developed Goldbodies, a type of artificial antibody on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), by restoring the native conformations of antibody CDRs. Now, they significantly reduced the number of CDRs per Goldbody by replacing most with PEG, while maintaining their native conformation and function. PEG with two -SH groups was more effective than single -SH PEG in this process. They created PEGylated Goldbodies that can specifically target lysozyme and the epidermal growth factor receptor, supporting the CLEFs hypothesis and expanding the potential of Goldbodies for various applications. And rhEGF protein inhibition of EGF-induced cell proliferation by the anti-EGFR Goldbody.

Fig3. Interaction between the PEGylated anti-EGFR Goldbody and EGFR at cellular level, resulting in the inhibition of EGF-induced cell proliferation.

EGF has several biochemical functions, for example, calcium ion binding,epidermal growth factor receptor binding,growth factor activity. Some of the functions are cooperated with other proteins, some of the functions could acted by EGF itself. We selected most functions EGF had, and list some proteins which have the same functions with EGF. You can find most of the proteins on our site.

EGF has direct interactions with proteins and molecules. Those interactions were detected by several methods such as yeast two hybrid, co-IP, pull-down and so on. We selected proteins and molecules interacted with EGF here. Most of them are supplied by our site. Hope this information will be useful for your research of EGF.

EGFR;S100A4;Egfr