NK1, a natural splice variant of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, is a partial agonist in vivo.

ABSTRACT: 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

SUBMITTER: Jakubczak JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC108840 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature