ROLLING IN THE CLOVER - TREFOIL FACTOR FAMILY (TFF)-DOMAIN PEPTIDES, CELL-MIGRATION AND CANCER

Trefoil factor family (TFF)-domain peptides 1-3 are mucin-associated m olecules, largely found in epithelia of gastrointestinal tissues, Stru cturally similar, resistant to enzymatic degradation, they are up-regu lated around areas of epithelial damage such as ulcers. Transgenic exp ression or exogenous peptide ameliorates or prevents gastric mucosal d amage due to indomethacin and some are rapidly up-regulated after cryo genic burns. A role in promoting cell migration is strongly suggested. Knockout mice lacking TFF1 or TFF3 show significant pathology, with t he former developing gastric tumours, A recent Conference Philippe Lau dat agreed upon a new nomenclature for these peptides. (C) 1997 Federa tion of European Biochemical Societies.