Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and proteolytic processing by a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAM): a regulator of several pathways.

HB-EGF is a member of the EGF family of ligands that is initially synthesized as a membrane-bound growth factor termed, proHB-EGF. The membrane bound proHB-EGF undergoes extensive proteolytic processing by several metalloproteinases capable of stimulating cellular proliferation. Soluble, mature HB-EGF binds to and activates EGF receptors. HB-EGF is a critical molecular component to a number of normal physiological processes including but not limited to tissue injury and wound healing, reproduction, angiogenesis and recently, adipogenesis. Misexpression of HB-EGF is linked to tumor formation and cancer including hepatocellular, pancreatic, gastric, breast, colon and melanoma, gliomas and glioblastomas. HB-EGF is a likely tool for therapeutic approaches to enhance treatment of injuries as well as a target for prevention of several cancers and obesity.