EGF is a small mitogenic protein that is part of a complex network of growth factors and receptors that together help to modulate the growth of cells, oncogenesis and wound healing. EGF is secreted by a variety of cells, and then is picked up by the cell itself, stimulating its own growth, or by neighbouring cells, stimulating their ability to divide. EGF receptors on the cell surface bind EGF and then relay a signal within the cell through dimer formation.
In tissue culture, EGF can act to reduce or eliminate the need to use serum. EGF ismitogenic 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.