Synonyms:
Urogastrone, URG, EGF.

Introduction:
Epidermal growth factor has a profound effect on the differentiation of specific cells in vivo and is a potent mitogenic factor for a variety of cultured cells of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin. The EGF precursor is believed to exist as a membrane-bound molecule which is proteolytically cleaved to generate the 53-amino acid peptide hormone that stimulates cells to divide. EGF stimulates the growth of various epidermal and epithelial tissues in vivo and in vitro and of some fibroblasts in cell culture.

Description:
Epidermal Growth Factor Human Recombinant produced in E.Coli is a single, non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain containing 53 amino acids and having a molecular mass of 6222 Dalton.
The EGF is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.

Source:
Escherichia Coli.

Physical Appearance:
Sterile Filtered White lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.

Formulation:
The protein was lyophilized from a concentrated (1mg/ml) solution with no additives.

Solubility:
It is recommended to reconstitute the lyophilized Epidermal Growth Factor in sterile 18MΩ-cm H₂O not less than 100µg/ml, which can then be further diluted to other aqueous solutions.

Stability:
Lyophilized Epidermal Growth Factor Recombinant although stable at room temperature for 3 weeks, should be stored desiccated below
-18°C. Upon reconstitution EGF should be stored at 4°C between 2-7 days and for future use below -18°C.
For long term storage it is recommended to add a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA).
Please prevent freeze-thaw cycles.

Purity:
Greater than 98.0% as determined by:
(a) Analysis by RP-HPLC.
(b) Analysis by SDS-PAGE.

Amino acid sequence:
The sequence of the first five N-terminal amino acids was determined and was found to be Asn-Ser-Asp-Ser-Glu, which agrees with the sequence of native Epidermal Growth Factor human.
N-terminal methionine has been completely removed enzymatically.

Biological Activity:
The ED50, calculated by the dose-dependant proliferation of murine BALB/c 3T3 cells (measured by ³H-thymidine uptake) is < 0.1 ng/ml corresponding to a specific activity of  1 x 10⁷ Units/mg.

Protein content:
EGF quantitation was carried out by two independent methods:

1. UV spectroscopy at 280 nm using the absorbency value of 2.858 as the extinction coefficient for a 0.1% (1mg/ml) solution. This value is calculated by the PC GENE computer analysis program of protein sequences (IntelliGenetics).

2. Analysis by RP-HPLC, using a calibrated solution of EGF as a Reference Standard.

Usage:
ProSpecs products are furnished for LABORATORY RESEARCH USE ONLY. The product may not be used as drugs, agricultural or pesticidal products, food additives or household chemicals.