title: EGF receptor ligands: recent advances.
abstract: Seven ligands bind to and activate the mammalian epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR/ERBB1/HER1): EGF, transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFA), heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF), betacellulin (BTC), amphiregulin (AREG), epiregulin (EREG), and epigen (EPGN). Of these, EGF, TGFA, HBEGF, and BTC are thought to be high-affinity ligands, whereas AREG, EREG, and EPGN constitute low-affinity ligands. This focused review is meant to highlight recent studies related to actions of the individual EGFR ligands, the interesting biology that has been uncovered, and relevant advances related to ligand interactions with the EGFR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Bhuminder
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Veterans Health Administration, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Coffey
keywords: Amphireguin; Betacellulin; EGFR; Epiregulin; HBEGF; Transforming growth factor-alpha; epidermal growth factor; epigen