Description
Epiregulin encoded by the EREG gene in humans, is a member of the EGF family of growth factors. This family also includes epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, amphiregulin (ARG), HB (heparin-binding)-EGF, betacellulin, and the various heregulins. Epiregulin is expressed mainly in the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes and in certain carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney and colon. It stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Additionally, it inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines. Human Epiregulin is initially synthesized as a glycosylated 19.0 kDa transmembrane precursor protein, which is processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce a 6.0 kDa mature secreted sequence