Anti-HB-EGF

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a 12-16 kDa member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)family. It possesses an EGF-like domain, and a heparin-binding motif. Mature HB-EGF is a soluble peptide thatarises from proteolytic processing of the transmembrane form. Human HB -EGF shows 76% and 73% aasequence identity with rat and mouse HB-EGF, respectively. It is required for normal cardiac valve formationand normal heart function, promotes smooth muscle cell proliferation. It may be involved in macrophage-mediated cellular proliferation, it is mitogenic for fibroblasts, but not endothelial cells. HB-EGF classified as agroup 2 ErbB ligand based on its ability to activate both the EGF/ErbB1 and ErbB4 receptors. Activityassociated with ErbB4 binding appears to be limited to non -mitogenic actions, while EGFR binding inducesboth mitogenic and non-mitogenic activity. Protein function: Growth factor that mediates its effects via EGFR, ERBB2 and ERBB4. Required for normal cardiac valve formation and normal heart function. Promotes smooth muscle cell proliferation. May be involved in macrophage-mediated cellular proliferation. It is mitogenic for fibroblasts, but not endothelial cells. It is able to bind EGF receptor/EGFR with higher affinity than EGF itself and is a far more potent mitogen for smooth muscle cells than EGF. Also acts as a diphtheria toxin receptor. [The UniProt Consortium]