Transforming Growth Factor Alpha (TGFa) Human Active Protein

This gene encodes a growth factor that is a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor, which activates a signaling pathway for cell proliferation, differentiation and development. This protein may act as either a transmembrane-bound ligand or a soluble ligand. This gene has been associated with many types of cancers, and it may also be involved in some cases of cleft lip/palate. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2011]

TGFalpha: TGF alpha is a mitogenic polypeptide that is able to bind to the EGF receptor/EGFR and to act synergistically with TGF beta to promote anchorage-independent cell proliferation in soft agar. Interacts with the PDZ domains of MAGI3, SDCBP and SNTA1. The interaction with SDCBP, is required for the targeting to the cell surface. In the endoplasmic reticulum, in its immature form (i.e. with a prosegment and lacking full N-glycosylation), interacts with CNIH. In the Golgi apparatus, may form a complex with CNIH and GORASP2. Interacts (via cytoplasmic C-terminal domain) with NKD2. Isoform 1, isoform 3 and isoform 4 are expressed in keratinocytes and tumor-derived cell lines. 5 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Cell cycle regulation; Ligand, receptor tyrosine kinase; Membrane protein, integral; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 2p13.3

Cellular Component: basolateral plasma membrane; cell surface; cytoplasmic vesicle; endoplasmic reticulum membrane; endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment membrane; extracellular space; Golgi membrane; integral component of plasma membrane; perinuclear region of cytoplasm; plasma membrane

Molecular Function: epidermal growth factor receptor binding; growth factor activity; protein binding

Biological Process: activation of MAPK activity; cell proliferation; COPII vesicle coating; ER to Golgi vesicle-mediated transport; positive regulation of cell division; positive regulation of epidermal growth factor-activated receptor activity; positive regulation of epithelial cell proliferation; positive regulation of mitotic nuclear division; regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter