Tgfa - transforming growth factor alpha

This gene encodes a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of proteins that regulate cellular proliferation. The encoded protein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate a soluble glycoprotein that is secreted by the cell. The secreted protein binds to the EGF receptors to initiate signaling events resulting in cellular proliferation, mucous production or inhibition of gastric acid secretion. The transgenic expression of the encoded protein in mice induces the development of cancers in various tissues such as liver, pancreas, skin and mammary glands. Mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit a wavy coat and curly whiskers phenotype as well as abnormalities in the eye. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015]