epidermal growth factor

epidermal growth factor
epidermal growth factor n a polypeptide hormone that stimulates cell proliferation esp. of epithelial cells by binding to receptor proteins on the cell surface abbr. EGF

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(EGF) a mitogenic polypeptide originally extracted from the submandibular glands of male mice; it is produced by many cell types and is made in large amounts by some tumors. It promotes growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and is also important in wound healing. It has been found to be part of a family of compounds that includes human epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factors, and amphiregulin.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Epidermal growth factor — or EGF is a growth factor that plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation by binding to its receptor EGFR. Human EGF is a 6045 Da protein with 53 amino acid residues and three intramolecular… …   Wikipedia

  • Epidermal Growth Factor — (EGF) 3D Struktur von EGF (Maus) (PDB  …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Epidermal growth factor — (EGF) 3D Struktur von EGF (Maus) (PDB  …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Epidermal growth factor — Facteur de croissance épidermique Pour les articles homonymes, voir EGF. structure tridimensionnelle de l EGF (pdb 1egf). On distingue cinq parties organisées en feuillet beta (vert) ainsi que la présence …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Epidermal growth factor receptor — This article is about a cell surface receptor. For estimated measure of kidney function (eGFR), see Glomerular filtration rate. Epidermal growth factor receptor …   Wikipedia

  • epidermal growth factor receptor — EGFR. The protein found on the surface of some cells and to which epidermal growth factor binds, causing the cells to divide. It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide… …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • epidermal growth factor human — a mitogenic polypeptide found in humans that is 70 per cent homologous with the epidermal growth factor of mice; it promotes growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and is important in wound healing. It is produced by many… …   Medical dictionary

  • epidermal growth factor receptor — EGFR a protein on the surface of cells (see receptor) that binds with epidermal growth factor and is therefore involved in cell division. EGFR is expressed at increased levels in numerous tumours, particularly of the head and neck, and in… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • epidermal growth factor — A mitogenic polypeptide (6 kD) initially isolated from male mouse submaxillary gland. The name refers to the early bioassay, but EGF is active on a variety of cell types, especially but not exclusively epithelial. A family of similar growth… …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • epidermal growth factor — noun Date: 1966 a polypeptide hormone that stimulates cell proliferation …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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