TFFs
Trefoil factors (TFFs) are classical estrogen-regulated genes and have served as markers of estrogen gene regulation by various environmental estrogens.
TFFs are also regulated by several other factors including growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and various oncogenic stimuli.
TFFs are secreted proteins present in serum and possess the potential to act as growth factors promoting cell survival, anchorage-independent growth and motility.
TFFs has a pivotal role in oncogenic transformation, growth and metastatic extension of common human solid tumours.
Trefoil proteins are stable secretory polypeptides that are characterized by the presence of at least 1 copy of a 40-amino acid motif that contains 3 conserved disulfide bonds.
Members
| TFF1 | TFF2 | TFF3 |
References
Perry JK, Kannan N, Grandison PM, Mitchell MD, Lobie PE. Are trefoil factors oncogenic? Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Dec 1; PMID: #18054496#