Amphiregulin

Amphiregulin, also known as AREG, is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the AREG is_associated_with::gene.

Function
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the is_associated_with::epidermal growth factor family.

It is an autocrine growth factor as well as a is_associated_with::mitogen for is_associated_with::astrocytes, is_associated_with::Schwann cells, is_associated_with::fibroblasts. It is related to is_associated_with::epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha). This protein interacts with the is_associated_with::Epidermal growth factor receptor to promote the growth of normal epithelial cells.

Clinical signficance
Mutations in this encoded protein are associated with a is_associated_with::psoriasis-like skin phenotype.