Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
 630,302 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a pleiotropic effector of cells expressing the Met tyrosine kinase receptor. While HGF/SF-Met signaling clearly plays a role in a variety of normal cellular process, this signaling pathway has also been implicated in the generation and metastatic spread of tumors. This review discusses in detail several model systems that have been developed to investigate the role of HGF/SF-Met signaling in malignancy and describes additional data regarding the expression of these molecules in human tumors. Collectively the findings support a role for this receptor-ligand pair in human malignancy.
J Mol Med (Berl) 1996 Sep
PMID:Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-Met signaling in tumorigenicity and invasion/metastasis. 889 55

Alveolar epithelial injury occurs universally in common respiratory illnesses associated with diffuse lung damage. After alveolar injury, type II cells proliferate and reestablish epithelial integrity, thereby restoring normal lung structure and function. However, the regulation of type II cell proliferation and alveolar epithelial repair is poorly understood. Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a heparin-binding growth factor that has been shown to be mitogenic for cultured alveolar type II cells. In this study, we determined the effect of intratracheal instillation of rhHGF/SF on type II cell proliferation in vivo. To quantify the alveolar type II cell proliferative response, we developed a double-label immunohistochemical technique to detect replicating alveolar type II cells in formalin-fixed lung sections that utilized the identification of proliferating cells by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation into DNA and alveolar type II cells by 3F9 immunoreactivity. BrdUrd detection was optimized by enzymatic antigen recovery and silver intensification of the horseradish peroxidase reaction product. Intratracheal instillation of rhHGF/SF induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in type II cell proliferation. The type II cell labeling index increased to 12.3 +/- 6.0% 48 h after 1.0 mg/kg rhHGF/SF administration, compared with 2.6 +/- 0.9% after PBS instillation. To compare the normal type II cell reparative response with the level of proliferation after exogenous rhHGF/SF administration, we measured the specific alveolar type II cell labeling index in rat lung sections obtained from animals exposed to hyperoxia for 50 h and then allowed to recover in room air. After 1 day of recovery, the alveolar type II cell labeling index was 0.45 +/- 0.2%. The specific labeling index increased to 5.4 +/- 1.3% at 2 days and then declined to 0.31 +/- 0.16% 5 days after hyperoxia exposure. In animals not exposed to hyperoxia, the alveolar type II cell labeling index was 0.6 +/- 0.14%. These studies demonstrated that intratracheal instillation of rhHGF/SF promoted alveolar type II cell proliferation in vivo. The maximal level of type II cell proliferation after rhHGF/SF administration was more than twice that reached during recovery from hyperoxia exposure. Thus, intratracheal instillation of HGF/SF may provide a potential strategy to promote type II cell proliferation and augment alveolar epithelial repair after lung injury.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1996 Nov
PMID:Intratracheal administration of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor stimulates rat alveolar type II cell proliferation in vivo. 891 64

The Met tyrosine kinase receptor is a widely expressed molecule which mediates pleiotropic cellular responses following activation by its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). In this communication we demonstrate that significant Met degradation is induced by HGF/SF and that this degradation can be blocked by lactacystin, an inhibitor of proteasome activity. We also show that Met is rapidly polyubiquitinated in response to ligand and that polyubiquitinated Met molecules, which are normally unstable, are stabilized by lactacystin. Both HGF/SF-induced degradation and polyubiquitination of Met were shown to be dependent on the receptor possessing intact tyrosine kinase activity. Finally, we found that a normally highly labile 55-kDa fragment of the Met receptor is stabilized by lactacystin and demonstrate that it represents a cell-associated remnant that is generated following the ligand-independent proteolytic cleavage of the Met receptor in its extracellular domain. This truncated Met molecule encompasses the kinase domain of the receptor and is itself tyrosine phosphorylated. We conclude that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays a significant role in the degradation of the Met tyrosine kinase receptor as directed by ligand-dependent and -independent signals. We propose that this proteolytic pathway may be important for averting cellular transformation by desensitizing Met signaling following ligand stimulation and by eliminating potentially oncogenic fragments generated via extracellular cleavage of the Met receptor.
Mol Cell Biol 1997 Feb
PMID:Degradation of the Met tyrosine kinase receptor by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. 900 Dec 34

Simultaneous discovery of members of the annexin family of calcium and phospholipid binding proteins by several groups is intimately linked to the possibility that these proteins may be controlled by phosphorylation. Indeed, annexin I and annexin II have been identified as major substrates for the tyrosine kinase activity associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and for the retrovirus encoded protein tyrosine kinase pp60v-arc. Both annexins are also in vitro and/or in situ substrates for platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) receptor tyrosine kinases. In addition, to serve as substrates for tyrosine protein kinases some annexins are cellular targets for serine threonine protein kinases such as protein kinase C (PKC) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Although the role of annexin phosphorylation has not been studied in detail, it is thought to influence their vesicle aggregation and phospholipid binding properties. Some annexins are also potent inhibitors of various serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases. The physiological functions of the annexins have still not been clearly defined. Therefore the identification of the ability of these proteins to undergo phosphorylation may be helpful in assigning them a precise biological role.
Cell Mol Life Sci 1997 Jun
PMID:Participation of annexins in protein phosphorylation. 923 Sep 30

Because of its distinctive ability to act as a mitogen, a mitogen and a morphogen, hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) has all the characteristics of a molecule able to function in regulatory networks of motility, such as the spermatogenic epithelium, and this through binding of its receptor p190MET (C-MET). In this study we report the expression of C-MET in the human seminiferous epithelium and on spermatozoa from men being treated for infertility and sperm donors. The presence of C-MET was demonstrated by immunochemistry on the cell membrane of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and on spermatozoa, whereas Sertoli cells and Leydig cells did not show expression. Comparison of C-MET expression on spermatozoa of the 90% Percoll layer of subfertile patients and donors revealed clearly two distinct groups (unpaired t-test, P < 0.001), whereas comparison of C-MET expression on spermatozoa in the 47% Percoll layer was not significantly different between patients and donors. In addition, there was a significant inverse correlation between sperm concentration and the C-MET expression of spermatozoa in the 90% Percoll layer (r = -0.80, 95% confidence interval, -0.92 to -0.55; P < 0.0001), but not with the C-MET expression of spermatozoa in the 47% Percoll layer. In conclusion, the presence of C-MET was demonstrated in the seminiferous epithelium and on mature and immature spermatozoa, indicating a role for this growth factor receptor in the differentiation and/or migration that occurs during human spermatogenesis.
Mol Hum Reprod 1996 Jan
PMID:The receptor encoded by the human C-MET oncogene is expressed in testicular tissue and on human spermatozoa. 923 50

The ability of signaling via the JNK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase)/stress-activated protein kinase cascade to stimulate or inhibit DNA synthesis in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes was examined. Treatment of hepatocytes with media containing hyperosmotic glucose (75 mM final), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha, 1 ng/ml final), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF, 1 ng/ml final) caused activation of JNK1. Glucose, TNFalpha, or HGF treatments increased phosphorylation of c-Jun at serine 63 in the transactivation domain and stimulated hepatocyte DNA synthesis. Infection of hepatocytes with poly-L-lysine-coated adenoviruses coupled to constructs to express either dominant negatives Ras N17, Rac1 (N17), Cdc42 (N17), SEK1-, or JNK1- blunted the abilities of glucose, TNFalpha, or HGF to increase JNK1 activity, to increase phosphorylation of c-Jun at serine 63, and to stimulate DNA synthesis. Furthermore, infection of hepatocytes by a recombinant adenovirus expressing a dominant-negative c-Jun mutant (TAM67) also blunted the abilities of glucose, TNFalpha, and HGF to stimulate DNA synthesis. These data demonstrate that multiple agonists stimulate DNA synthesis in primary cultures of hepatocytes via a Ras/Rac1/Cdc42/SEK/JNK/c-Jun pathway. Glucose and HGF treatments reduced glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) activity and increased c-Jun DNA binding. Co-infection of hepatocytes with recombinant adenoviruses to express dominant- negative forms of PI3 kinase (p110alpha/p110gamma) increased basal GSK3 activity, blocked the abilities of glucose and HGF treatments to inhibit GSK3 activity, and reduced basal c-Jun DNA binding. However, expression of dominant-negative PI3 kinase (p110alpha/p110gamma) neither significantly blunted the abilities of glucose and HGF treatments to increase c-Jun DNA binding, nor inhibited the ability of these agonists to stimulate DNA synthesis. These data suggest that signaling by the JNK/stress-activated protein kinase cascade, rather than by the PI3 kinase cascade, plays the pivotal role in the ability of agonists to stimulate DNA synthesis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.
Mol Biol Cell 1998 Mar
PMID:The Ras/Rac1/Cdc42/SEK/JNK/c-Jun cascade is a key pathway by which agonists stimulate DNA synthesis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. 948 26

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a potent mitogen, motogen, and morphogen for epithelial cells expressing its tyrosine kinase receptor, the c-met proto-oncogene product, and is required for normal development in the mouse. Inappropriate stimulation of Met signal transduction induces aberrant morphogenesis and oncogenesis in mice and has been implicated in human cancer. NK1 is a naturally occurring HGF/SF splice variant composed of only the amino terminus and first kringle domain. While the biological activities of NK1 have been controversial, in vitro data suggest that it may have therapeutic value as an HGF/SF antagonist. Here, we directly test this hypothesis in vivo by expressing mouse NK1 in transgenic mice and comparing the consequent effects with those observed for mice carrying an HGF/SF transgene. Despite robust expression, NK1 did not behave as an HGF/SF antagonist in vivo. Instead, NK1-transgenic mice displayed most of the phenotypic characteristics associated with HGF/SF-transgenic mice, including enlarged livers, ectopic skeletal-muscle formation, progressive renal disease, aberrant pigment cell localization, precocious mammary lobuloalveolar development, and the appearance of mammary, hepatocellular, and melanocytic tumors. And like HGF/SF-transgenic livers, NK1 livers had higher levels of tyrosine-phosphorylated complexes associated with Met, suggesting that the mechanistic basis for the effects of NK1 overexpression in vivo was autocrine activation of Met. We conclude that NK1 acts in vivo as a partial agonist. As such, the efficacy of NK1 as a therapeutic HGF/SF antagonist must be seriously questioned.
Mol Cell Biol 1998 Mar
PMID:NK1, a natural splice variant of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, is a partial agonist in vivo. 948 42

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) stimulates the motility of epithelial cells, initially inducing centrifugal spreading of colonies followed by disruption of cell-cell junctions and subsequent cell scattering. In Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, HGF/SF-induced motility involves actin reorganization mediated by Ras, but whether Ras and downstream signals regulate the breakdown of intercellular adhesions has not been established. Both HGF/SF and V12Ras induced the loss of the adherens junction proteins E-cadherin and beta-catenin from intercellular junctions during cell spreading, and the HGF/SF response was blocked by dominant-negative N17Ras. Desmosomes and tight junctions were regulated separately from adherens junctions, because they were not disrupted by V12Ras. MAP kinase, phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), and Rac were required downstream of Ras, because loss of adherens junctions was blocked by the inhibitors PD098059 and LY294002 or by dominant-inhibitory mutants of MAP kinase kinase 1 or Rac1. All of these inhibitors also prevented HGF/SF-induced cell scattering. Interestingly, activated Raf or the activated p110alpha subunit of PI 3-kinase alone did not induce disruption of adherens junctions. These results indicate that activation of both MAP kinase and PI 3-kinase by Ras is required for adherens junction disassembly and that this is essential for the motile response to HGF/SF.
Mol Biol Cell 1998 Aug
PMID:Activation of both MAP kinase and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase by Ras is required for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-induced adherens junction disassembly. 969 75

This study examined the effects of matrix-embedded human fibroblasts, a predominant cell type in the injured tissue, on the tissue expansion and angiogenesis. Using a co-culture technique, it was demonstrated that the presence of matrix-embedded fibroblasts (Dermagraft) significantly enhanced the expansion of human wound tissue in a 3D gel system over a period of 10 days. Using a rat aorta ring assay, fibroblasts also significantly stimulated the growth of new vessels from the ring and also enhanced the motility of human vascular endothelial cells. This effect of fibroblasts was neutralised with anti-HGF/SF antibody. HGF/SF protein was detected in both supernatant and cell lysate of the fibroblasts by bioassay and Western blotting, mRNA for HGF/SF was detected in the fibroblasts by RT-PCR. HGF/SF secreted by the fibroblast was able to stimulate the phosphorylation of cMET, HGF/SF receptor. It is thus concluded that matrix embedded fibroblasts are capable of stimulating wound healing and this effect is attributed to HGF/SF, produced by the cell.
Int J Mol Med 1998 Aug
PMID:Enhancement of wound tissue expansion and angiogenesis by matrix-embedded fibroblast (dermagraft), a role of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor. 985 89

Recent studies have revealed that islet cells differentiate from the epithelial cells of primitive pancreatic ducts during embryogenesis, and can regenerate in response to the loss of islet cells even in adult pancreas. The ability of islet cells to regenerate raises the possibility that impaired and decreased islets of diabetic patients can be restored. In this review, factors regulating islet development including differentiation factors (Shh, activin, follistatin, and TGF alpha), transcriptional factors (PDX1, Isl1, Pax4, Pax6, Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, BETA2, and HNF), growth factors (the EGF family, HGF, IGF-I, IGF-II, Reg, INGAP, PDGF, FGF, VEGF, and NGF), hormones (insulin, the GH family, PTHrP, TRH, and gastrin), and cell adhesion molecules (N-CAM and cadherins) are described after a short introduction and an outline of pancreatic development.
Int J Mol Med 1999 Mar
PMID:Development of pancreatic islets (review). 1002 48


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