The human homologue of the yeast CHL1 gene is a novel keratinocyte growth factor-regulated gene.
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a potent and specific mitogen for different types of epithelial cells, including keratinocytes of the skin. To gain insight into the mechanisms of KGF action in this tissue, we attempted to identify genes that are regulated by KGF in keratinocytes. Using the differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technology, a gene was identified which was strongly induced in these cells by treatment with KGF but not with serum growth factors or pro-inflammatory cytokines. This gene seems to be part of a multigene family as assessed by Southern blot analysis. Molecular cloning and sequencing of the full-length cDNA revealed a strong homology with the yeast CHL1 gene. The latter encodes a putative helicase, which is involved in correct chromosome transmission and cell cycle progression. Furthermore, the CHL1 gene product and the protein encoded by the novel KGF-regulated gene were identical in size, indicating that we had cloned the human CHL1 homologue. This finding suggests a novel and specific role of KGF in correct chromosome segregation and/or cell cycle progression.
Frank
S
S
Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Am Klopferspitz 18a, D-82152 Martinsried, Germany.
Werner
S
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D004265:DNA Helicases; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
C066751:CHL1 protein, S cerevisiae; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C496453:FGF7 protein, human; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D011506:Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004265:DNA Helicases; C101830:DDX11 protein, human; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases