Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was discovered in crude preparations of nerve growth factor prepared from mouse submaxillary glands as an activity that induced early eyelid opening, incisor eruption, hair growth inhibition, and stunting of growth when injected into newborn mice.EGF is a member of a family of growth factors that bind to the same 170 kDa receptor, including TGF-, vaccinia growth factor and amphiregulin. EGF is initially synthesized as a large (130 kDa) precursor molecule in which the mature, soluble EGF sequence (6 kDa) is located. The precursor, which functions as a source for soluble EGF, may also have a role in mediation of intercellular communication between cells displaying pro-EGF on their surfaces and cells with EGF receptors.