TFF-3

The Trefoil Factor peptides (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) are secreted in the gastrointestinal tract, and appear to play an important role in intestinal mucosal defense and repair. TFF-3 is expressed by goblet cells and in the uterus, and has also been shown to express in certain cancers, including colorectal, hepatocellular, and in biliary tumors. TFF3 may be useful as a molecular marker for certain types of cancer, but its role, if any, in tumorigenesis is unknown. TFF3 also promotes airway epithelial cell migration and differentiation. Recombinant human TFF3 is a 13.2 kDa homodimeric protein consisting of two 59 amino acid chains, which includes a 40-amino acid trefoil motif containing three conserved intramolecular disulfide bonds.