Epigen
Epigen (EPGN, epithelial mitogen) is a member of the epidermal growth factor family that promotes the growth of epithelial cells. Also known as EPG, PRO9904 and ALGV3072, it acts as a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Browse Assay Genie's current range of Epigen research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Epigen promotes the growth of epithelial cells. According to UniProt, it may stimulate the phosphorylation of EGFR and of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Like other members of the epidermal growth factor family, it is a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor, and this family plays a role in cell survival, proliferation and migration. Epigen has been reported to have high mitogenic activity despite a low affinity for its receptor, a combination that makes it a point of interest when comparing how different EGFR ligands drive signalling.
The human EPGN gene encodes a protein that is found both at the membrane and in secreted form. The gene sits within the HGNC EGF ligand family, and alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. The mouse ortholog is designated Epgn. Researchers working with the Epigen protein or planning an Epigen ELISA kit or Epigen antibody experiment should consider these membrane-bound and secreted forms when choosing a detection approach.
Epigen was previously listed as epithelial mitogen homolog (mouse), and it also appears in the literature as EPG, PRO9904 and ALGV3072. Expression of the transcript and protein has been reported in cancer specimens of the breast, bladder and prostate, which has drawn attention to the Epigen gene in studies of epithelial tumour biology.
Epigen is an EGF family ligand that may stimulate EGFR and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, making it useful for comparing ligand-specific receptor responses.
Epigen promotes the growth of epithelial cells and has been reported to show high mitogenic activity.
Epigen expression has been reported in breast, bladder and prostate cancer specimens, supporting its study in tumour settings.
EGF family ligands contribute to cell survival, proliferation and migration, processes relevant to understanding Epigen function.
Epigen promotes the growth of epithelial cells. It is an EGF family ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor and may stimulate phosphorylation of EGFR and mitogen-activated protein kinases. It has been reported to have high mitogenic activity but low affinity for its receptor.
The HGNC symbol is EPGN and the approved name is epithelial mitogen. Aliases include EPG, PRO9904 and ALGV3072, and the previous name was epithelial mitogen homolog (mouse). Alternative splicing gives rise to multiple transcript variants.
Expression of the Epigen transcript and protein has been reported in cancer specimens of the breast, bladder and prostate. This is an observation of expression rather than a defined mechanism. The mouse ortholog is Epgn; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other EGF family ligands, EGFR pathway partners and epithelial growth factor targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q6UW88; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.