Amphiregulin

Function

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family.

It is an autocrine growth factor as well as a mitogen for astrocytes, Schwann cells, fibroblasts. It is related to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha). This protein interacts with the Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to promote the growth of normal epithelial cells.

Biological role

Estradiol and progesterone mostly induce amphiregulin expression to mediate ductal development of the mammary glands. Amphiregulin has been found to be essential for mammary ductal development, as evidenced by absence of ductal growth in amphiregulin knockout mice. This is similar to the phenotypes of EGFR and ERα knockout mice, which also show absence of ductal growth.

Clinical signficance

Mutations in this encoded protein are associated with a psoriasis-like skin phenotype.