EREG Human, His

Epiregulin (EREG) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, which plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Epiregulin functions as a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and other members of the ERBB family of tyrosine-kinase receptors .

Human recombinant epiregulin is typically produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain. The recombinant protein contains 69 amino acids (63-108 a.a) and has a molecular mass of approximately 7.7 kDa . It is fused to a 23 amino acid His-tag at the N-terminus, which facilitates purification using chromatographic techniques .

The recombinant epiregulin is provided as a sterile, filtered, colorless solution. It is formulated in a buffer containing 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0) and 10% glycerol . The protein solution is stable when stored at 4°C for short-term use (2-4 weeks) and at -20°C for long-term storage. To prevent degradation, it is recommended to avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles and to add a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA) for extended storage .

Epiregulin is expressed in various tissues, including the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes. It is also found in specific carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney, and colon . Epiregulin stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Interestingly, it inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines .

Epiregulin binds to EGFR and other ERBB receptors, inducing receptor homodimerization or heterodimerization with other ERBB family members . This binding activates downstream signaling pathways, such as the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways, which are involved in cell proliferation and survival .

Due to its role in cellular processes and cancer, epiregulin is widely used in laboratory research. It is utilized to study cell signaling pathways, cancer biology, and the development of potential therapeutic agents targeting EGFR and ERBB receptors .