Synonym(s): EGF; Epidermal cell growth factor
CAS No.: 62229-50-9
General description: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a 6 kDa polypeptide discovered by Cohen and Levi -Montalcini and isolated from mouse submaxillary glands. EGF is mitogenic for a variety of epidermal and epithelial cells, including fibroblasts, glial cells, mammary epithelial cells, vascular and corneal endothelial cells, bovine granulosa, rabbit chondrocytes, HeLa and SV40-3T3 cells. In tissue cultures EGF can act to reduce or eliminate the requirement for serum and is often used in conjunction with other media additives and hormones, such as Insulin (Product No. I1882), Transferrin (Product No. T 5391), and Prostaglandin E1 (Product No. P7527). Cellular metabolic effects of EGF include stimulation of ion fluxes, glucose transport, glycolysis, and synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins.
Human EGF was originally isolated from human urine as β-Urogastrone, an inhibitor of gastric acid secretion. Mouse and human EGF are 70% homologous in their sequence of 53 amino acids, act upon the same EGF receptor, elicit nearly identical biological effects and are highly inter-species cross-reactive.
EGF is structurally homologous to human Transforming Growth Factor-α (Product Nos. T7533 and T2035), which exerts its actions through EGF receptors. EGF is also homologous to a sequence contained in a 19 kDa protein of Vaccinia virus, which appears to utilize the EGF receptor to gain entry into cells. The EGF receptor is a 170 kDa glycoprotein having EGF-activated protein tyrosine kinase activity. Platelet-Derived Growth Factor(PDGF, Product No. P8147) transmodulates the EGF receptor by reduc ing both its EGF affinity and its kinase activity.
Physical form: Lyophilized from 0.2 μm filtered solution in ammonium acetate buffer.
Analysis Note: The biological activity is measured in a proliferation assay using BALB/MK cells.
Preparation Note: Purified by gel filtration.
Storage: 2-8°C
EC No.: 263-468-7
Biochem/physiol Actions: Qualified for use as a mitogen for a variety of epidermal and epithelial cells, including fibroblasts, glial cells, mammary epithelial cells, vascular and corneal endothelial cells, bovine granulosa, rabbit chondrocytes, HeLa cells, and SV40-3T3 cells.
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C8H10O2