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| A growth factor is an extracellular protein which is able to trigger a cell to grow and therefore cause an increase in the cells mass. They do this by encouraging the synthesis of [[Macromolecules|macromolecules]] such as proteins. In addition growth factors inhibit the degradation of such macromolecules. Other functions of the growth factor consist of stimulating the cells to survive and proliferate. Two examples of growth factors are [[Platelet-derived growth factor|platelet-derived growth factor]] (PDGF) and [[Epidermal growth factor|epidermal growth factor]] (EGF). PDGF has the ability to stimulate many types of cell to divide, for instance [[Smooth muscle cells|smooth muscle cells]], neurological cells as well as [[Fibroblasts|fibroblasts]]. Correspondingly, EGF does not only act upon epidermal cells but also on [[Epithelial|epithelial]] and nonepithelial cells<ref>Alberts, B. Johnson, A. Lewis, J. Raff, M. Roberts, K. Walter, P. (2008) Molecular Biology of THE CELL5th edn. United States of America: Garland Science, Taylor and Francis Group. (p.1102-1103)</ref>.
| | See [[Growth_factor|Growth Factor]] |
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| === References ===
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Latest revision as of 15:26, 21 October 2016