Structure, genetic mapping, and expression of the mouse Hgf/scatter factor gene

The cytokine termed hepatocyte growth factor or scatter factor (HGF/SF) has been implicated in embryonic development and liver regeneration. Mouse HGF/SF cDNA clones were obtained by screening a mouse liver cDNA library with synthetic oligonucleotides, as well as by using the method of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with mRNA isolated from adult mouse brain. Sequence analysis of mouse HGF/SF cDNA clones spanning the entire coding region revealed an overall amino acid identity of 90% and 98% with human and rat HGF, respectively. Using mouse HGF antisense RNA as a probe, we observed the expression of HGF/SF mRNA in the liver, kidney, whole brain and cerebellum of adult mice as well as in day 9 and day 10 mouse embryos. The mouse HGF/SF cDNA was utilized for mapping Hgf to the centromeric region of mouse Chromosome 5 in apparent close proximity to the reeler mutation by the analysis of two multilocus crosses. The relationship of Hgf to the reeler mutation is discussed. The availability of mouse HGF/SF cDNA clones should facilitate further analysis of HGF/SF function during development.