Tgfa, or transforming growth factor alpha, is a polypeptide growth factor with a high affinity for the epidermal growth factor receptor. It is an essential cell regulator, acting during processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis [3]. TGFA-related signaling pathways often involve growth factor receptors and their cytoplasmic intermediates, which are crucial in cell-related activities [2].

In cervical cancer, TGFA was highly expressed in cancer tissues and cells. Knockdown of TGFA could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cells, and its knockout led to a significant reduction in the expression of IL family and MMP family proteins in CESC cell lines, suggesting its role in promoting cervical cancer development [1]. In osteosarcoma, cisplatin inhibited the proliferation of Saos-2 cells by upregulating miR-376c and downregulating TGFA expression [4]. Also, in non-syndromic cleft lip and palate, the TGFA gene polymorphism rs11466297 showed a significant association and acted as a risk factor in the Indian population [5].

In conclusion, Tgfa is a significant cell regulator involved in multiple biological processes. Studies using gene knockdown or knockout models have revealed its role in promoting the development of certain cancers like cervical and osteosarcoma, and its association with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate. These findings contribute to understanding the disease mechanisms and potentially identifying new treatment targets.

References:

1. Ma, Xiaoxuan, Zheng, Jingying, He, Kang, Zhao, Lijing, Wang, Lisheng. 2023. TGFA expression is associated with poor prognosis and promotes the development of cervical cancer. In Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, 28, e18086. doi:10.1111/jcmm.18086. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38152044/

2. Garcia-Lezana, Teresa, Lopez-Canovas, Juan Luis, Villanueva, Augusto. 2020. Signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma. In Advances in cancer research, 149, 63-101. doi:10.1016/bs.acr.2020.10.002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33579428/

3. Bezamat, Mariana, Souza, Juliana F, Silva, Fernanda M F, Modesto, Adriana, Vieira, Alexandre R. 2021. Gene-environment interaction in molar-incisor hypomineralization. In PloS one, 16, e0241898. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0241898. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33406080/

4. Wang, Yuan, Wu, Yichao, Cai, Awei, Xu, Tangbing, Hu, Yong. 2021. Cisplatin inhibits the proliferation of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells via the miR-376c/TGFA pathway. In Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences, 21, 163-173. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2020.4485. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32020849/

5. Avasthi, Kapil Kumar, Agarwal, Amit, Agarwal, Sarita. . Association of MTHFR, BMP4, TGFA and IRF6 Polymorphisms with Non-Syndromic Cleft lip and Palate in North Indian Patients. In Avicenna journal of medical biotechnology, 14, 175-180. doi:10.18502/ajmb.v14i2.8879. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35633991/