Description
Amphiregulin is an EGF related growth factor and was originally isolated from the conditioned media of a PMA-treated MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line. It is mainly expressed numerous carcinoma cell lines and the epithelial cells of various human tissues including colon, stomach, breast, ovary, kidney, etc. Synthesized as a transmembrane protein, Amphiregulin’s extracellular domain is proteolytically processed to release the mature protein. There are 6 conserved cysteine residues, which form 3 intramolecular disulfide bonds essential for biological activity. Amphiregulin signals through the EGF/TGF-a receptor, and stimulates growth of keratinocytes, epithelial cells and some fibroblasts. It also inhibits the growth of certain carcinoma cell lines. Mutations in this encoded protein are associated with a psoriasis-like skin phenotype