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Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

The epithelin precursor encodes two proteins with opposing activities on epithelial cell growth

G D Plowman1, J M Green, M G Neubauer

  • 1Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98121.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|June 25, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Epithelins 1 and 2 are novel growth factors involved in epithelial homeostasis. Epithelin 1 promotes cell growth, while epithelin 2 inhibits it, suggesting a regulatory role in epithelial tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Epithelins 1 and 2 were initially identified for their growth inhibitory effects on human epidermoid carcinoma cells.
  • These growth factors are polypeptides with conserved cysteine residues, suggesting structural and functional significance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the complete amino acid sequences of epithelins 1 and 2.
  • To clone the cDNA for these growth factors from rat, mouse, and human sources.
  • To investigate the biological activities and expression patterns of epithelins.

Main Methods:

  • Amino acid sequencing and cDNA cloning from multiple species.
  • Recombinant protein expression in COS cells.
  • Northern blot analysis to assess mRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • Epithelins 1 and 2 are 56- and 57-amino acid polypeptides with 47% sequence identity and 12 conserved cysteine residues.
  • Both proteins are derived from a single precursor containing multiple copies of a novel 12-cysteine motif.
  • Epithelin 1 is mitogenic for rodent keratinocytes and fibroblasts, while epithelin 2 antagonizes epithelin 1's activity.
  • Epithelin mRNA is broadly expressed in various epithelial cell types.

Conclusions:

  • Epithelins 1 and 2 are key regulators of epithelial homeostasis due to their opposing biological activities.
  • The broad expression of epithelin transcripts supports their role in maintaining epithelial tissue balance.

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