Peptide or Protein

Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor

An EGF family member that is expressed in a variety of hematopoietic, endothelial, vascular smooth muscle, and epithelial cells. It is synthesized as a transmembrane protein which is cleaved by proteases to produce the secreted form of the protein which has specificity for the EGF RECEPTOR and the ERBB-4 RECEPTOR. The membrane-bound form of the protein has been identified as the receptor which binds to and allows DIPHTHERIA TOXIN to enter cells.