Primary structure of rat hepatocyte growth factor and induction of its mRNA during liver regeneration following hepatic injury.
Overlapping cDNA clones for rat hepatocyte growth factor (rHGF) were isolated by cross-hybridization with the cloned cDNA for human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) and the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA was determined. The entire primary structure of rHGF was deduced from the sequence. Comparison of the amino acid sequences between rat and human HGFs revealed that the two sequences are highly conserved throughout the protein structures, suggesting that rat and human HGFs may be functionally similar. Responses of the rHGF mRNA during liver regeneration in rats were examined by Northern blot hybridization analysis with the aid of the cDNA probe for rHGF. The mRNA levels increased in the liver and spleen but not in the kidney after administration of carbon tetrachloride. At the maximum level of induction, the rHGF mRNA increased in the liver about 4.5-fold over its normal level. The mRNA levels also increased in the liver and spleen after administration of D-galactosamine. On the other hand, no obvious increase of the mRNA was observed in the liver and spleen after partial hepatectomy. These observations suggest that HGF may function as a regulator of liver regeneration following hepatic injury caused by hepatotoxins.
Okajima
A
A
Institute for Liver Research, Kansai Medical University, Japan.
Miyazawa
K
K
Kitamura
N
N
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000235:genetics*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000235:genetics*; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects
D006133:Growth Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012709:Serum Albumin; C053498:albumin-bilirubin complex; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D005688:Galactosamine; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D001663:Bilirubin; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human