Related Experiment Videos
An alternatively processed mRNA generated from human hepatocyte growth factor gene.
K Miyazawa1, A Kitamura, D Naka
1Institute for Liver Research, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Japan.
European Journal of Biochemistry
|April 10, 1991
Summary
Researchers identified a shorter human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) mRNA variant in placenta. This variant encodes a truncated protein that does not stimulate hepatocyte DNA synthesis, suggesting alternative RNA processing generates functional diversity.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) plays a crucial role in liver regeneration.
- Previous isolation and sequencing of hHGF cDNA have been reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the sequence of a shorter form of hHGF mRNA.
- To investigate the biological activity of the protein encoded by this variant.
Main Methods:
- cDNA sequencing
- Northern blot analysis
- Human genomic HGF clone analysis
- Expression plasmid construction and transfection
- Immunoblotting analysis
- Hepatocyte DNA synthesis assays
Main Results:
- A novel hHGF cDNA variant was sequenced, differing from the known hHGF cDNA after nucleotide 865.
- This variant mRNA (1.5 kb) was detected in human placenta.
- Alternative RNA processing involving a specific exon generates the divergent 3'-terminal portion.
- The variant mRNA encodes a predicted 290-amino acid protein.
- Transfected Cos cells produced a ~33 kDa protein.
- This protein product did not stimulate DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes.
Conclusions:
- Alternative RNA processing generates a shorter hHGF mRNA variant.
- The protein encoded by this variant lacks the ability to stimulate hepatocyte growth.
- This finding highlights the complexity of hHGF regulation and function.