title: The EGF-CFC gene family in vertebrate development.
abstract: EGF-CFC genes encode extracellular proteins that play key roles in intercellular signaling pathways during vertebrate embryogenesis. Mutations in zebrafish and mouse EGF-CFC genes lead to defects in germ-layer formation, anterior-posterior axis orientation and left-right axis specification. In addition, members of the EGF-CFC family have been implicated in carcinogenesis. Although formerly regarded as signaling molecules that are distant relatives of epidermal growth factor (EGF), recent findings indicate that EGF-CFC proteins act as essential cofactors for Nodal, a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family. Here, we review molecular genetic evidence from mouse and zebrafish on biological and biochemical roles of the EGF-CFC family, and discuss differing models for EGF-CFC protein function.
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. mshen@cabm.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Schier
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: C491268:CFC1 protein, human; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins