Close
Close
Loading...
CONTACT US
:
:
:
Call us at:
:
:
:
Fax:
Email:

EPGN

Products

Loading...

All listed services and products are For Research Use Only. Do Not use in any diagnostic or therapeutic applications.

Background

Epithelial mitogen (EPGN), encoded by the EPGN gene located on chromosome 4q13.3 and also known as epigen or EPG, is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of ligands. The EPGN gene spans approximately 8.3 kb on chromosome 4 and contains multiple exons, with alternative splicing generating several transcript variants. The deduced 154-amino acid precursor protein has an N-terminal signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, an EGF-like domain consisting of six cysteine residues that form three pairs of disulfide bonds, and two potential N-linked glycosylation sites. As a type I transmembrane protein, EPGN is synthesized as a membrane-bound precursor that undergoes proteolytic cleavage, including ADAM17-mediated ectodomain shedding, to release a soluble active form containing the EGF-like domain. EPGN is expressed in multiple tissues, with RNA expression particularly enriched in the esophagus and detected at lower levels in several other tissues.

EPGN functions as a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1/HER1), one of seven EGFR ligands that include EGF, TGFα, amphiregulin, HB-EGF, betacellulin, and epiregulin. Upon binding to EGFR, EPGN promotes receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation, activating downstream signaling cascades including the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK, PI3K-AKT, and STAT pathways. EPGN has been reported to have high mitogenic activity but low binding affinity for EGFR compared to other EGF family ligands. Unlike EGF, EPGN is not rapidly degraded following receptor dissociation, allowing it to evade signaling desensitization and sustain receptor activation. EPGN requires ERBB1/EGFR activity for its growth-promoting effects, and its mitogenic potency is enhanced when ERBB2 is co-expressed with other ERBB family members. Structurally, EPGN and epiregulin stabilize different dimeric conformations of the EGFR extracellular region and induce less stable EGFR dimers than EGF, making them partial agonists of EGFR dimerization. These properties make EPGN an important research target for studies of EGFR signaling, epithelial cell proliferation, growth factor biology, and the regulation of receptor-ligand interactions.

Fig. 1 Schematic of EGFR (ErbB1) receptor tyrosine kinase. (OA Literature) Fig. 1 Schematic representation of EGFR (ErbB1) receptor tyrosine kinase structure.1

EPGN Protein Function: Roles in EGFR Activation, Epithelial Cell Proliferation, and Growth Factor Signaling

EPGN, encoded by the EPGN gene, functions as an EGF family ligand that activates EGFR-dependent signaling and promotes epithelial cell growth:

  • EGFR Binding and Activation: EPGN binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1), promoting receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation that activate downstream signaling cascades.
  • Epithelial Cell Proliferation: EPGN promotes the growth of epithelial cells through EGFR-dependent signaling, stimulating cell proliferation and mitotic division.
  • MAP Kinase Pathway Activation: EPGN stimulates the phosphorylation of EGFR and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), activating the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade.
  • High Mitogenic Potency with Low Affinity: EPGN exhibits high mitogenic activity despite low binding affinity for EGFR, a paradox attributed to its ability to evade signaling desensitization and sustain receptor activation.
  • ERBB Receptor Family Interactions: EPGN requires ERBB1 activity for growth induction, and its mitogenic potency is enhanced when ERBB2 is expressed in combination with other ERBB family members.

EPGN Protein Product

Creative Biolabs offers high-quality EPGN proteins produced using optimized expression systems, including full-length precursor protein and soluble active EGF-like domain variants. The EGF consensus domain mediates EGFR binding and receptor activation, making these proteins suitable for studies of EGFR ligand-receptor interactions, receptor dimerization, and downstream signaling characterization. All EPGN proteins undergo strict quality control to support consistent performance across applicable research platforms.

Custom EPGN Protein Product

Not finding the protein product you need? Contact us to start your one-stop custom service!

EPGN Stable Cell Line Product

Creative Biolabs provides custom-engineered EPGN stable cell lines, including overexpression and knockdown models. These cell lines are optimized for studies of EGFR signaling pathway activation, epithelial cell proliferation, and growth factor-mediated signaling. Each cell line undergoes stringent validation to ensure stable expression profiles and consistent functional performance in diverse experimental contexts.

EPGN Stable Cell Line Product

Not finding the stable cell line product you need? Contact us to start your one-stop custom service!

EPGN Recombinant Antibody Product

High-specificity recombinant antibodies targeting EPGN are developed using antibody engineering technologies for research applications involving EPGN expression and localization. These antibodies can be used in studies of EPGN distribution in epithelial tissues and may also support characterization of EPGN-EGFR interactions and ligand-receptor binding in combination with appropriate detection reagents.

EPGN Recombinant Antibody Product

Not finding the recombinant antibody product you need? Contact us to start your one-stop custom service!

Product Features

  • Native EGF Domain Structure Preservation: Maintains the characteristic EGF consensus domain with six conserved cysteine residues essential for EGFR binding and receptor activation studies.
  • EGFR Signaling Research Compatibility: Optimized reagent series for studies of EGFR ligand-receptor interactions, receptor dimerization, and downstream MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways.
  • High Specificity for EPGN: Minimizes non-specific cross-reactivity with other EGF family ligands including EGF, TGFA, AREG, HB-EGF, BTC, and EREG.
  • Comprehensive Customization Support: Facilitates end-to-end development of customized proteins, antibodies and stable cell lines to address growth factor signaling and epithelial cell biology research demands.

Custom EPGN Research Services

Beyond catalog products, Creative Biolabs offers specialized custom services for EPGN research:

  • Custom EPGN Protein Production: Tailored expression of mutant and tagged EPGN constructs for EGFR binding and receptor activation studies.
  • Custom Antibody Development: Generation of EPGN-specific antibodies for immunostaining, flow cytometry, and protein detection applications.
  • Stable Cell Line Engineering: Construction of EPGN-modified cell models for EGFR signaling, epithelial proliferation, and growth factor research.
  • Functional Assay Development: Custom design of receptor binding, EGFR activation, and proliferation detection workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is the primary function of EPGN?

    EPGN is an EGF family ligand that binds to EGFR/ERBB1, promoting receptor dimerization and activating downstream signaling pathways that regulate epithelial cell proliferation and growth.

  2. Why is EPGN a significant research target?

    EPGN is recently discovered EGFR ligand and exhibits a unique combination of high mitogenic potency with low receptor binding affinity, making it a valuable target for studies of EGFR signaling dynamics, receptor-ligand interactions, and growth factor biology.

  3. Are Creative Biolabs' EPGN products suitable for clinical use?

    No, all EPGN products and services are strictly for research use only, not intended for clinical diagnosis or treatment.

  4. What types of EPGN products does Creative Biolabs offer?

    Offerings include full-length EPGN precursor proteins, soluble EGF-like domain variants, specific detection antibodies, and custom stable cell lines for EGFR signaling and growth factor research.

  5. How are EPGN proteins validated for activity?

    EPGN proteins are validated via EGFR binding assays, receptor activation assays, and relevant functional characterization in applicable research platforms.

Reference
  1. Gryksa, K., et al. "The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) as a Means of Neuro-Immune Cross-Conversation." Journal of Neuroinflammation, 23.1 (2026): 159. Under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-026-03873-5
Our customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact Us
© 2026 Creative Biolabs. | Contact Us
;