Amphiregulin
Amphiregulin (AREG) is a member of the epidermal growth factor family and a ligand of the EGF receptor. It acts as an autocrine growth factor and as a mitogen for several cell types, and is also known as AR, CRDGF, SDGF and AREGB. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Amphiregulin research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Amphiregulin is a ligand of the EGF receptor (EGFR). It works as an autocrine growth factor, meaning cells can stimulate their own growth through it, and as a mitogen for a broad range of target cells, including astrocytes, Schwann cells and fibroblasts. The protein interacts with the EGF/TGF-alpha receptor to promote the growth of normal epithelial cells. It also inhibits the growth of certain aggressive carcinoma cell lines, so its effects depend on cellular context.
The AREG gene encodes a protein of the epidermal growth factor family, and HGNC places it in the EGF ligand family. UniProt classes the protein in the amphiregulin family, and it is annotated as a membrane protein. Amphiregulin is related to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), which signal through the same receptor. Orthologous genes, named Areg, are found in mouse and rat, which allows the biology to be studied in common model organisms.
Amphiregulin was first described as schwannoma-derived growth factor, and the older name amphiregulin B is also in use. Beyond its roles in growth control, it functions in mammary gland, oocyte and bone tissue development. The AREG gene is associated with a psoriasis-like skin phenotype. It is also linked to other pathological disorders, including various types of cancer and inflammatory conditions. This makes the amphiregulin protein a frequent subject in studies of EGFR signalling, epithelial biology and disease mechanisms.
Amphiregulin is an EGF receptor ligand, so it is used to study how EGF-family members drive receptor-mediated growth responses.
The gene is associated with various cancers, and the protein inhibits the growth of certain aggressive carcinoma cell lines.
AREG is associated with a psoriasis-like skin phenotype and with inflammatory conditions, making it relevant to disease models.
Amphiregulin functions in mammary gland, oocyte and bone tissue development, and promotes growth of normal epithelial cells.
Amphiregulin is a ligand of the EGF receptor. It is an autocrine growth factor and a mitogen for astrocytes, Schwann cells and fibroblasts. It promotes the growth of normal epithelial cells, while inhibiting certain aggressive carcinoma cell lines. It also contributes to mammary gland, oocyte and bone development.
The gene symbol is AREG, and aliases include AR, CRDGF, SDGF and AREGB. Earlier names were schwannoma-derived growth factor and amphiregulin B. The name schwannoma-derived growth factor reflects its first description as a mitogen for Schwann cells.
Mouse and rat both have an ortholog named Areg. The human gene is associated with a psoriasis-like skin phenotype, various cancers and inflammatory conditions. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other EGF-family ligands and the EGF receptor, which are linked to amphiregulin signalling, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P15514; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.