title: Transforming growth factor-alpha stimulates proto-oncogene c-jun expression and a mitogenic program in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes.
abstract: Human transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha, MW 5547) initiates a mitogenic program in "quiescent" 11-to 13-day-old primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Using validated growth reinitiation assays and chemically defined conditions (Koch and Leffert, 1979a) that simulate proto-oncogene expression in regenerating liver (Kruijer et al., 1986), we find that 5.4 nM TGF-alpha stimulates: (i) increases in rates of amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ uptake; (ii) a transient induction in steady-state mRNA levels of proto-oncogene c-jun; (iii) specific increases in hepatocyte nuclear [3H]dT labeling indices, augmented synergistically by insulin and glucagon; and (iv) increases in rates of S-phase entry. Comparative studies indicate that TGF-alpha is a more effective hepatocyte growth promoter than mouse epidermal growth factor. These observations, and published reports linking normal and cancerous liver as biosynthetic sources of TGF-alpha, suggest an autocrine or paracrine role for TGF-alpha in the control of hepatic growth, regeneration, and gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Leffert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D015342:DNA Probes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007399:Interphase; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008934:Mitogens; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D008934:Mitogens; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D004247:DNA; D012964:Sodium