What Is Epidermal Growth Factor?

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a heat-resistant single-chain low-molecular-weight polypeptide consisting of 53 amino acid residues. After EGF specifically recognizes and binds to the EGF receptor on target cells, a series of biochemical reactions occur, which can ultimately promote DNA synthesis and mitosis in target cells. EGF is a sugar-free site, very stable, heat and acid resistant, and is widely present in body fluids and various glands. It is mainly synthesized by the submandibular gland and duodenum. The content of sera and semen increased specifically, but the concentration in serum was low. EGF has a wide range of effects and is of great significance in estimating tumor prognosis, selecting treatment options, and treating gastric ulcer and liver failure. Clinically, radioimmunoassay (RIA) or double antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be used to determine the EGF content in serum or body fluids.

Basic Information

Chinese scientific name

Epidermal growth factor

Latin scientific name

Epidermal augmentum factor

nickname

epidermal growth factor

Short name

EGF

Nature

Small peptide

Function

Multifunctional growth factor

Find the time

1974

Clinical significance of epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor assays can be used to diagnose a variety of tumors and ulcers.

Elevation: Many tumors have abnormal expression of EGF and its receptors, and are closely related to tumor metastasis and patient prognosis, such as gastric cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. In patients with gastric cancer, the lower the degree of differentiation of gastric cancer cells, the higher the EGF level; the serum EGF level in patients with advanced gastric cancer is higher than that in early patients. EGF and its receptors are also significantly increased in liver cancer tissues and precancerous lesions.

Decrease: EGF has a wide range of biological effects on the digestive system, can stimulate target cell DNA synthesis, regulate cell defense and gastrointestinal secretion, can act on parietal cells, and inhibit gastric acid and pepsin secretion, so EGF may be a natural gastrointestinal Growth-promoting factors are related to the occurrence of peptic ulcers. The gastric fluid and serum EGF content in patients with duodenal ulcers are significantly reduced.

Epidermal growth factor normal reference range

Serum: 1032 ± 485pg / ml; plasma: 192 ± 106pg / ml.