growth factor

growth factor
growth factor n a substance (as a vitamin B12 or an interleukin) that promotes growth and esp. cellular growth

* * *

any of various chemicals, particularly polypeptides, that have a variety of important roles in the stimulation of new cell growth and cell maintenance. They bind to the cell surface on receptors. Specific growth factors can cause new cell proliferation (epidermal growth factor, haemopoietic growth factor) and the migration of cells (fibroblast growth factor) and play a role in wound healing (platelet-derived growth factor; PDGF). Some growth factors act in the embryonic stage of development; for example, nerve growth factor. It is thought that some growth factors that induce cell proliferation are involved in the abnormal regulation of growth seen in cancer when produced in excessive amounts (e.g. insulin-like growth factor, IGF-I). Growth factors produced locally around a carcinoma (e.g. vascular endothelial growth factor) are important in the encouragement of invasion by the tumour; other factors (e.g. autocrine motility factor, migration-stimulating factor) are also significant. See also bone growth factor.

* * *

any of numerous substances that promote normal or pathological growth of cells or tissue, including the epidermal growth factors, insulin-like growth factors, nerve growth factors, platelet-derived growth factors, and transforming growth factors.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • growth factor — n. any genetic, hormonal, or nutritional factor whose absence prevents normal growth of an organism …   English World dictionary

  • Growth factor — The term growth factor refers to a naturally occurring protein capable of stimulating cellular growth, [DorlandsDict|three/000038554|growth factor] proliferation and cellular differentiation. Growth factors are important for regulating a variety… …   Wikipedia

  • Growth factor — Dieser Artikel behandelt Wachstumsfaktor als Begriff aus der Biologie. Das Wort wird außerdem verwendet bei der mathematischen Untersuchung von Wachstumsprozessen (siehe Wachstumsfaktor (Mathematik)) Als Wachstumsfaktoren werden Proteine… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • growth factor — any of various chemicals, particularly polypeptides, that have a variety of important roles in the stimulation of new cell growth and cell maintenance. They bind to the cell surface on receptors. Specific growth factors can cause new cell… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • growth factor — noun a protein that is involved in cell differentiation and growth • Hypernyms: ↑protein • Hyponyms: ↑nerve growth factor, ↑NGF …   Useful english dictionary

  • growth factor — growth′ fac tor n. biochem. any of various proteins that promote the growth, organization, and maintenance of cells and tissues …   From formal English to slang

  • Growth factor-like domain — A growth factor like domain (GFLD) is a protein domain structurally related to epidermal growth factor, which has a high binding affinity for the epidermal growth factor receptor. As structural domains within larger proteins, GFLD regions… …   Wikipedia

  • Growth factor receptor — A growth factor receptor is a receptor which binds to growth factor.External links* …   Wikipedia

  • growth factor — noun Date: 1926 a substance (as a vitamin B12 or an interleukin) that promotes growth and especially cellular growth …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • growth factor — Any of various chemicals, particularly polypeptides, that have a variety of important roles in the stimulation of new cell growth and cell maintenance. They bind to the cell surface on receptors. Specific growth factors can cause new cell… …   Glossary of Biotechnology

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”