MFGE8

Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (Mfge8), also known as lactadherin, is a is_associated_with::protein which in humans is encoded by the MFGE8 is_associated_with::gene.

Species distribution
Mfge8 is secreted protein found in vertebrates, including mammals as well as birds.

Function
MFGE8 may function as a cell adhesion protein to connect smooth muscle to elastic fiber in arteries. An is_associated_with::amyloid fragment of MFGE8 known as medin accumulates in the aorta with is_associated_with::aging. MFGE8 in the vasculature of adults can induce recovery from is_associated_with::ischemia by facilitating is_associated_with::angiogenesis. It has been suggested that antagonizing MFGE8-induced angiogenesis could be a way of fighting cancer.

MFGE8 contains a is_associated_with::phosphatidylserine (PS) binding domain, as well as an is_associated_with::Arginine-is_associated_with::Glycine-is_associated_with::Aspartic acid motif, which enables the binding to is_associated_with::integrins. MFGE8 binds PS, which is exposed on the surface of is_associated_with::apoptotic cells. is_associated_with::Opsonization of the apoptotic cells and binding to integrins on the surface of is_associated_with::phagocytic cells, mediates the engulfment of the dead cell.