MGL S3, a novel methionine gamma lyase, obtained by genetic engineering protein comprised of MGL from Clostridium sporogenesis fused to epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like peptide, reduces cell number, induces apoptosis, and downregulates ERK activity in neuroblastoma, lung, breast, and colon cancer cells in vitro. The gene discussed is EGF; the disease is neuroblastoma.