title: In vitro secretion of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha): a comparison of the A431 cell line with three human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma lines.
abstract: Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) is a single chain polypeptide which exists in a variety of forms differing in molecular weight. These forms are variously present in normal and neoplastic cells. Of particular interest are TGF-alpha's well-known mitogenic properties. The transition from a normal to a neoplastic cellular state results from signalling defects that may depend upon, inter alia, abnormal levels of expression and secretion of TGF-alpha. It is known that the secretion of TGF-alpha may be enhanced appreciably by agents such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), serum factors and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Here, we compare the efficacy of these three agents in the elevation of TGF-alpha secretion in the well studied A431 cell line with their previously undocumented efficacy in certain interesting, but little known, human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Thornley
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000502:physiology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate