Identification of a competitive HGF antagonist encoded by an alternative transcript
Chan, A.M.; Rubin, J.S.; Bottaro, D.P.; Hirschfield, D.W.; Chedid, M.; Aaronson, S.A.
Science 254(5036): 1382-1385
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 1720571 Document Number: 381149
We identified a naturally occurring hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) variant, whose predicted sequence extends only through the second kringle domain of this plasminogen-related molecule. This smaller molecule, derived from an alternative HGF transcript, lacked mitogenic activity but specifically inhibited HGF-induced mitogenesis. Cross-linking studies demonstrated that the truncated molecule competes with HGF for binding to the HGF receptor, which has been identified as the c-met protooncogene product. Thus, the same gene encodes both a growth factor and its direct antagonist.