protein_function: Contributes to phagocytic removal of apoptotic cells inmany tissues. Specific ligand for the alpha-v,beta-3 and alpha-v,beta-5 receptors. Also binds to phosphatidylserine-enriched cellsurfaces in a receptor-independent manner. Zona pellucida-bindingprotein which may play a role in gamete interaction (Bysimilarity). Plays an important role in the maintenance ofintestinal epithelial homeostasis and the promotion of mucosalhealing. Promotes VEGF-dependent neovascularization..
MFGE8(Milk Fat Globule-Egf Factor 8), also called as Lactadherin or SED1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the MFGE8 gene. Mfge8 is secreted protein found in vertebrates, including mammals as well as birds. By fluorescence in situ hybridization, the MFGE8 gene was mapped to chromosome 15q25. MFGE8 is a factor that links apoptotic cells to phagocytes. It specifically bound to apoptotic cells by recognizing aminophospholipids such as phosphatidylserine. MFGE8, when engaged by phospholipids, bound to cells via its RGD motif. It bound particularly strongly to cells expressing alpha-V-beta-3 integrin. It showed that Mfge8 was expressed in intestinal lamina propria macrophages in mice. Using a wound-healing assay, they showed that Mfge8 promoted migration of intestinal epithelial cells through a PKC-epsilon(PRKCE)-dependent mechanism.