Description: The human EGF Instant ELISA is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantitative detection of human EGF. The human EGF Instant ELISA is for research use only. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
EGF belongs to a family of growth factors that bind to the 170 kDa EGF receptor.
The EGF receptor ligands are synthesized as type I transmembrane proteins of 130 kDa with an N-terminal extension called the EGF module and a C-terminal fragment, also known as the cytoplasmic tail. EGF comprises nine EGF motives; only the one adjacent to the cell membrane is functional as an EGF receptor-binding domain. Due to proteolytic cleavage a soluble growth factor of 6 kDa containing the EGF module is released into the extracellular space ('ectodomain shedding').
EGF can be detected in most body fluids; the concentration is especially high in plasma, urine, saliva, and milk. Platelets as well as cells in various organs such as in brain, kidney, salivary gland, and stomach release EGF.
As a mitogen for endothelial cells EGF also affects angiogenesis and plays a role in wound healing processes. Blocking the release of EGF receptor ligands inhibits growth and migration in several EGF receptor-dependent cell lines and greatly retards wound re-epithelialization due to impaired keratinocyte migration. Overexpression of one or more receptors and/or ligands is a feature of the majority of human carcinomas and epithelial cancers.
