Hepatocyte growth factor up-regulates met expression in rat fetal hepatocytes in primary culture.
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for primary cultured fetal hepatocytes. In the present study, we have analyzed the c-met/HGF receptor expression in fetal hepatocytes and its modulation by growth factors and hormones. 20-day old fetal liver showed a barely expression of c-met mRNA levels. However, when fetal hepatocytes were incubated in the presence of HGF, a 10-fold increase in c-met mRNA levels was observed 30 min after addition of the factor. This HGF-induced effect on c-met expression was transient, losing its up-regulatory effect after 24 hours and returning to the initial levels at 48 hours. Transforming growth factor-beta, a negative regulator of fetal liver growth, increased c-met mRNA levels 48 hours after the addition of the factor, whereas glucocorticoids had a negative effect.
de Juan
C
C
Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Centro Mixto C.S.I.C./U.C.M., Facultad de Farmacia, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain.
Sánchez
A
A
Nakamura
T
T
Fabregat
I
I
Benito
M
M
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005333:Fetus; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D005353:Fibronectins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D003907:Dexamethasone; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases