= Growth factor
{disambiguate=biology}
{wiki=Growth_factor}
= Biological growth factor
{synonym}
A <biological growth factor> is a signaling <ligand> that modulates <cell growth>, <cell proliferation>, <cell differentiation> or <cell survival>. Many are <proteins> recognized by <cell-surface receptors>. The resulting response depends on which <receptors> and intracellular pathways the target <cell> contains.
For example, <epidermal growth factor> engages the <epidermal growth factor receptor>, while <FGF8> acts through <FGF receptors>. These interactions can alter <gene expression> through <signal transduction>. The <ligand> and its <receptor> are separate molecular components, so their distribution jointly determines where a signal can act.<Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition by Bruce Alberts and others>[Chapter 15, Signaling through Enzyme-Linked Cell-Surface Receptors]{ref}
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