Epigen (EPGN)

Epigen (EPGN), also known as epithelial mitogen, is a protein encoded by the EPGN gene in humans and is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family[1][2][3][5]. It is the seventh known ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) and acts primarily to promote the growth, survival, and migration of epithelial cells[1][2][3][5]. Unlike other EGFR ligands, epigen demonstrates particularly high mitogenic activity but has a lower binding affinity for its receptor[1][3]. It is synthesized as a transmembrane glycoprotein and later processed to a soluble form[8]. EPGN is expressed in various tissues, including liver, heart, testis, pancreas, and dorsal root ganglia, with broader activity in epidermal and some glandular structures[1]. Elevated EPGN expression has been detected in various cancers, where it may contribute to tumor progression and serve as a predictive biomarker for certain therapies such as cetuximab[1]. Its main mechanism is binding to and activating EGFR, leading to downstream signaling pathways (MAPK, cell proliferation)[1][2][3][5].

Other names

Epithelial mitogenEPGNEPGUNQ3072/PRO9904PRO9904ALGV3072Epithelial mitogen homologepigenEpithelial Mitogen Homolog (Mouse)

Binds to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1), activating downstream phosphorylation and signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)