Molecular cloning and expression of human hepatocyte growth factor

Nature. 1989 Nov 23;342(6248):440-3. doi: 10.1038/342440a0.

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is the most potent mitogen for mature parenchymal hepatocytes in primary culture, and seems to be a hepatotrophic factor that acts as a trigger for liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy and liver injury. The partial purification and characterization of HGF have been reported. We have demonstrated that pure HGF from rat platelets is a new growth factor effective at concentrations as low as 1 ng ml-1. The effects of HGF and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are additive. The activity of HGF is not species-specific, although it does not stimulate growth in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. HGF has a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 82,000 and is a heterodimer composed of a large alpha-subunit of Mr 69,000 and a small beta-subunit of Mr 34,000. Here we report the amino-acid sequence of human HGF determined by complementary DNA cloning and the expression of biologically active human HGF from COS-1 cells transfected with cloned cDNA. The nucleotide sequence of the human HGF cDNA reveals that both alpha- and beta-chains are contained in a single open reading frame coding for a pre-pro precursor protein of 728 amino acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cloning, Molecular*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genes*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Growth Substances / genetics*
  • Growth Substances / pharmacology
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monocytes / physiology
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Rats
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Growth Substances
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor