Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha.

This review describes the discovery and initial characterization of the epidermal growth factors (EGFs) and transforming growth factors alpha (TGF alpha), the biosynthesis and tissue distribution of these molecules and a brief description of the effects of these molecules in culture and animals. An analysis of the similarities between the EGFs and TGF alpha s from different organisms is used to describe the features of the molecules which appear to be critical for their function. The review concludes with a discussion of the relationship between the production of the EGF or TGF alpha to cancer induction and/or metastasis.