title: Aplysia mollusk-derived growth factor is a mitogen with adenosine deaminase activity and is expressed in the developing central nervous system.
abstract: Mollusk-derived growth factor (MDGF), the first growth factor to be characterized in Aplysia, was purified and characterized and has both adenosine deaminase activity and stimulates cell proliferation in vitro. MDGF is structurally related to a new subfamily of adenosine deaminase-related growth factors that require enzymatic activity to stimulate cell proliferation, a unique property of known growth factors. We examined the expression of MDGF protein in the CNS since MDGF mRNA increased in the developing CNS, and recent data suggest that inosine is involved in neuronal reorganization and restoration of essential circuitry after CNS injury. MDGF levels transiently increased during embryonic and post-metamorphic development and in the developing CNS, but was undetectable in adult CNS. No effects on morphology or neurite extension of adult Aplysia neurons were observed.
authors.affiliation: Marine Biomedical Institute, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
authors.forename: David-Benjamin G
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Akalal
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bottenstein
authors.forename: Seung-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Deog-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Bong-Kiun
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Kaang
authors.forename: Gregg T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Nagle
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D007288:Inosine / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008934:Mitogens / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010063:Ovum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D007211:Indoles; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008934:Mitogens; C007293:DAPI; D007288:Inosine; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase; C435026:mollusk-derived growth factor