Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a member of the epithelial growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors, is first synthesized as a membrane-associated precursor (proHB-EGF). ProHB-EGF is cleaved enzymatically, resulting in the shedding of the mature secreted form (soluble HB-EGF). While soluble HB-EGF binds to and activates the EGF receptor (EGFR) as an autocrine/ paracrine manner, a considerable amount of proHB-EGF remains on the cell surface, where it acts as a juxtacrine

more »

... th factor that signals to neighboring cells (juxtacrine activation). The induction of growth factors leads to the morphogenesis of focal complex processes including lamellipodia, considered to be premature cellcell contact sites. Methods: We developed Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells stably expressing a noncleavable, membrane-anchored human HB-EGF construct (MDCKmem cells) and MDCK"'mem cells in which the tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR