P01133

EGF is a member of the epidermal growth factor superfamily. EGF plays a significant role in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation, making EGF vital for various physiological processes, including wound healing and tissue repair. EGF exerts effects by binding to the EGF receptor on the cell surface, triggering a cascade of intrinsic phosphorylation events on tyrosine residues, which ultimately leads to cellular responses such as mitogenesis. EGF is found in human tissues and various body fluids, including urine, saliva, milk, and platelet-rich plasma, highlighting EGF′s importance in both local and systemic biological functions. EGF shares 30-40% amino acid homology with other growth factors like transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) and vaccinia virus growth factor, and EGF is part of a larger family that includes Cripto, Amphiregulin, and the heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, which also interact with the EGF receptor, further underscoring EGF′s complexity and significance in cellular signaling pathways.