This antibody reacts with the C-terminus of TGF-alphaalpha and shows no cross-reaction with EGF and the neuropeptide synenkephalin. The staining with Ab-1 is completely blocked by the peptide used for raising this antibody. TGF-alpha(aa50) is a growth factor with 33% homology to EGF, binds to EGFR, activates tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor, and stimulates cell proliferation. It plays a role in tumor initiation by inducing the reversible transformed phenotype.
