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Platelet-derived growth factor/sis in normal and neoplastic cell growth
T F Deuel1, G F Pierce, H J Yeh
1Department of Medicine, Jewish Hospital of St. Louis at Washington University School of Medicine, MO 63110.
Abstract:
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the major growth factor in serum and a potent mitogen for cells mesenchymal origin. It is a highly basic heterodimeric protein with a molecular mass of approximately 30 kDa and binds to a cell surface receptor with high affinity. The amino acid sequence of PDGF revealed sequence homology to the v-sis gene product of simian sarcoma virus (SSV), a transforming retrovirus. Characterization of cells transformed by SSV has revealed PDGF-related proteins in subcellular organelles and in conditioned media consistent with the autocrine stimulation of cell growth through cell surface receptors and perhaps through an internal autocrine mechanism as the growth factor and its receptor are processed. PDGF is also a potent chemotactic agent for inflammatory and other mesenchymal cells and has been implicated in normal tissue repair processes such as wound healing, as well as in aberrant proliferative processes like atherogenesis.
Insights
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a key protein promoting cell growth and involved in wound healing. It also plays a role in diseases like atherogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a major serum growth factor.
- It is a potent mitogen for mesenchymal cells.
- PDGF is a basic heterodimeric protein (~30 kDa) binding to a high-affinity cell surface receptor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PDGF in cell growth and disease.
- To characterize PDGF-related proteins in simian sarcoma virus (SSV)-transformed cells.
- To explore the autocrine stimulation mechanism of PDGF.
Main Methods:
- Sequence homology analysis of PDGF and v-sis gene product.
- Characterization of PDGF-related proteins in subcellular organelles and conditioned media.
- Assessment of PDGF's mitogenic and chemotactic activities.
Main Results:
- PDGF shares sequence homology with the v-sis gene product of SSV.
- PDGF-related proteins are found in subcellular organelles and conditioned media of SSV-transformed cells.
- PDGF acts as a potent chemotactic agent and is implicated in wound healing and atherogenesis.
Conclusions:
- PDGF contributes to autocrine cell growth stimulation.
- PDGF is involved in both normal repair processes and aberrant proliferation.
- Understanding PDGF's function is crucial for therapeutic interventions.