The EGF-CFC gene family in vertebrate development.
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.
Shen
M M
MM
Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. mshen@cabm.rutgers.edu
Schier
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AF
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*
C491268:CFC1 protein, human; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins