title: Epidermal growth factor receptor number decreases during rat liver regeneration.
abstract: The potential role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the regulation of rat liver regeneration was examined by assessing the binding of 125I-EGF to hepatic membranes isolated at various times after partial hepatectomy. The results demonstrated a fall in 125I-EGF binding detectable as early as 8 h after partial hepatectomy. The nadir in EGF binding, less than 40% of that observed in sham-operated control rats, was seen 36 and 48 h after partial hepatectomy. Scatchard analysis showed that the decrease in binding capacity was due to a fall in receptor number. The specificity of the observed loss of EGF receptors was substantiated in parallel studies of 125I-insulin and 125I-wheat germ lectin binding; the binding of these ligands did not decrease appreciably during liver regeneration. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that EGF or a similar substance is one component of the complex humoral signal that regulates liver regeneration.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors