Expression of full length or truncated epidermal growth factor precursor transforms NIH3T3 fibroblasts.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is derived from a large precursor (EGFP) of unusual structure. As EGFP remains unprocessed in certain tissues, it is of biological relevance to study its activity. Activation of the EGF receptor by EGF is involved in transformation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts. We isolated clones of NIH3T3 expressing full length, cytoplasmic region deleted or EGF-repeats deleted EGFP. All clones formed colonies in soft agarose and tumors in nude mice. Two clones expressing EGF-repeats deleted EGFP formed more and larger colonies. To conclude, EGFP is biologically active. Deletion of the 8 EGF repeats may enhance anchorage independent growth in NIH3T3.
Department of Paediatrics, the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
R W
RW
Kwan
R W
RW
Wong
S Y
SY
Chan
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000633:toxicity*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D017353:Gene Deletion; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000633:toxicity*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D011498:Protein Precursors; C042652:epidermal growth factor precursor; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors