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EGF
EGF Epidermal growth factor. A polypeptide (small protein) that is a powerful mitogen. (It stimulates cells to enter mitosis, cell division. ) EGF promotes cell growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and is important in wound healing. It is produced by many normal cell types and is made in large amounts by some tumors. The EGF gene is on chromosome 4q25 (whereas the gene for its receptor, EGFR, is on chromosome 7). The kidney is the main source of circulating EGF. EGF is also known as urogastrone (URG).
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Epidermal
Pertaining to the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.
Mitogen
A substance that stimulates the proliferation of many different clones of lymphocytes.
Mitosis
The division of the cell's nucleus and nuclear material of a cell; consists of four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Mitosis occurs only in eukaryotes. The DNA of the cell is replicated during interphase of the cell cycle and then segregated during the four phases of mitosis.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Differentiation
The process whereby an unspecialized early embryonic cell or stem cell acquires the features of a specialized cell, such as a heart, liver, or muscle cell.
Essential
1. Something that cannot be done without. 2. Required in the diet, because the body cannot make it. As in an essential amino acid or an essential fatty acid. 3. Idiopathic. As in essential hypertension.
Wound
A wound is a physical trauma where the skin is torn, cut or punctured. Exposed to air, there is not only a significant chance of death due to loss of blood, but increased chance of bacteria entering the wound or an infection.
Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.
Chromosome
A structural unit within a eukaryotic nucleus that carries genes. A chromosome consists of a long, continuous strand of DNA and associated proteins.
Receptor
A molecule that recognizes a unique hormone. Once that hormone is bound to the receptor, the information carried by the hormone can now exert its biological action.
Kidney
One of the paired organs that excrete urine. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs (about 11 cm long, 5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick) lying on either side of the vertebral column, posterior to the peritoneum, about opposite the twelfth thoracic and first three lumbar vertebrae.
EGF
Epidermal growth factor. A polypeptide (small protein) that is a powerful mitogen. (It stimulates cells to enter mitosis, cell division. ) EGF promotes cell growth and differentiation, is essential in embryogenesis, and is important in wound healing. It is produced by many normal cell types and is made in large amounts by some tumors. The EGF gene is on chromosome 4q25 (whereas the gene for its receptor, EGFR, is on chromosome 7). The kidney is the main source of circulating EGF. EGF is also known as urogastrone (URG).
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Effective dose
The dose of a drug that will achieve the desired effect.
Effects, fetal rubella
The constellation of abnormalities, also called the rubella syndrome, caused by infection with the rubella (German measles) A virus before birth. The syndrome is characterized by multiple congenital malformations (birth defects) and mental retardation.
Efferent nerve
A nerve that carries impulses away from the central nervous system (CNS). An efferent nerve is the opposite of an afferent nerves that carries impulses toward the CNS.
Efferent vessel
A vessel carrying blood away from the heart. An artery or arteriole.
EGD
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
EGF
Egg sac
The "egg sac" or ovary is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries have two functions: production of eggs (ova) and female hormones. Each month, during the menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary. The egg travels from the ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
A heritable disorder of connective tissue with easy bruising, joint hypermobility (loose joints), skin laxity, and weakness of tissues. There are a number of different types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) which share the foregoing features but can be categorized into at least nine different types.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type
A genetic disorder characterized by extremely fragile and sagging skin caused by mutation in the ADAMTS2 gene. People with this form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have soft, doughy skin that is very fragile and bruises easily. The skin sags and wrinkles, and extra (redundant) folds of skin may be present as children get older. Joints are very loose, which can delay the development of motor skills such as sitting, standing, and walking. Infants with the condition are born with a soft out-pouching called a hernia around the belly-button. Other symptoms include a small chin, a blue tinge to the part of the eyeball that is usually white (the sclera), and mild overgrowth of body hair.
Ehrlichiosis
An acute (abrupt onset) disease, clinically similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever with high fever, headache, malaise, and muscle pain but without a rash. Laboratory features include leukopenia (low white blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), mild anemia, and elevation in the levels of hepatic aminotransferase enzymes. Clinical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities respond promptly to therapy with the antibiotics tetracycline or doxycycline, and the majority of patients become afebrile within 24 to 48 hours after the start of such treatment. The diagnosis of ehrlichiosis rests on the detection of ehrlichia either by direct means or by the indirect means of serologic studies. Three methods are available for detection: inspection of peripheral-blood smears, PCR testing, and tissue culture.
Eicosapentaenoic acid
One of the principal omega-3 fatty acids. Abbreviated EPA. The body has a limited ability to manufacture EPA by converting the essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in flaxseed oil, canola oil or walnuts.
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