Description
Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TGFA gene. TGF-alpha is a member of the EGF family of cytokines that are synthesized as transmembrane precursors and are characterized by the presence of one or several EGF structural units in their extracellular domain. Expression of TGF-alpha is widespread in tumors and transformed cells. TGF-alpha is also expressed in normal tissues during embryogenesis and in adult tissues, including pituitary, brain, keratinocytes, and macrophages.TGF alpha is a mitogenic polypeptide that is able to bind to the EGF receptor and to act synergistically with TGF beta to promote anchorage-independent cell proliferation in soft agar.