Characterization of the activity of growth factor from AH-130 tumor cells

The activation of DNA synthesis induced by growth factor from the cytosol of AH-130 tumor cells (AH-130GF) was inhibited by alkylamines (methylamine, ethylamine, and dansylcadaverine), which inhibit the intracellular processing of hormone-receptor complexes. Calmodulin inhibitors (trifluoperazine and W-7) also inhibited the mitogenic action of AH-130GF, suggesting that the Ca-calmodulin system and proteolytic processing in lysosomes are necessary for stimulation of DNA synthesis by AH-130GF after its binding to the cell surface. Membrane phosphorylation induced by AH-130GF or epidermal growth factor (EGF) was investigated by using rat liver plasma membranes and 3T3 cell membranes in vitro. EGF increased the phosphorylation of two protein components with molecular weights of 160K and 130K in rat plasma membranes, but AH-130GF increased the phosphorylation of only the 130K protein. No specific phosphorylation induced by AH-130GF was detected in 3T3 cell membranes, but EGF induced phosphorylation of the 160K receptor protein.