Anti-BTC

This gene encodes a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of proteins. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants, at least one of which encodes a preproprotein that is proteolytically processed to generate the secreted growth factor. A secreted form and a membrane-anchored form of this protein bind to multiple different EGF receptors. This protein promotes pancreatic cell proliferation and insulin secretion, as well as retinal vascular permeability. Mutations in this gene may be associated with type 2 diabetes in human patients. Protein function: Growth factor that binds to EGFR, ERBB4 and other EGF receptor family members. Potent mitogen for retinal pigment epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. [The UniProt Consortium]