Vaccinia virus growth factor (VGF) is encoded by an early gene of vaccinia virus strain TianTan located near the border between the terminal inverted repeats and the internal region of the viral genome as one copy. Its relationship to members of epidermal growth factor superfamily was discovered when computer searches of protein sequences revealed that VGF has strong sequence homology with these growth factors. To further get insight into the biological activity of VGF, we cloned and expressed the secreted ligand domain of VGF (VGFsl) encoded by vaccinia virus strain TianTan in E. coli and insect cells. The results of biological activity test indicated that expressed products is capable of binding to the EGF receptor, and stimulating EGF receptor tyrosin autophosphorylation to a level greater than that of EGF.