Biomaterial Database

HGF/SF inhibits junctional communication. 1995

C D Moorby, and M Stoker, and E Gherardi

Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Cambridge University Medical School, United Kingdom.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a fibroblast-derived protein that affects the growth, motility, and differentiation of epithelial and endothelial cells. We have investigated the effect of HGF/SF on junctional communication in mouse keratinocytes (MK cells). HGF/SF inhibited cell communication in MK cells as assessed by the transfer of a low-molecular-weight dye, Lucifer Yellow. The inhibition was rapid, the earliest effects being apparent 5 to 10 min after addition of the factor, and was transient. The decrease in dye transfer correlated with a loss of the gap junction protein connexin 43 as measured by Western blotting, probably due to increased protein degradation. The results show that junctional communication is an early target of HGF/SF activity and they are consistent with the hypothesis that gap junctions are primary targets of the action of growth factors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007546	Isoquinolines	A group of compounds with the heterocyclic ring structure of benzo(c)pyridine. The ring structure is characteristic of the group of opium alkaloids such as papaverine. (From Stedman, 25th ed)
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015603	Keratinocytes	Epidermal cells which synthesize keratin and undergo characteristic changes as they move upward from the basal layers of the epidermis to the cornified (horny) layer of the skin. Successive stages of differentiation of the keratinocytes forming the epidermal layers are basal cell, spinous or prickle cell, and the granular cell.	Keratinocyte
D017228	Hepatocyte Growth Factor	Multifunctional growth factor which regulates both cell growth and cell motility. It exerts a strong mitogenic effect on hepatocytes and primary epithelial cells. Its receptor is PROTO-ONCOGENE PROTEINS C-MET.	Hepatopoietin,Hepatopoietin A,Scatter Factor,Factor, Hepatocyte Growth,Factor, Scatter,Growth Factor, Hepatocyte
D017629	Gap Junctions	Connections between cells which allow passage of small molecules and electric current. Gap junctions were first described anatomically as regions of close apposition between cells with a narrow (1-2 nm) gap between cell membranes. The variety in the properties of gap junctions is reflected in the number of CONNEXINS, the family of proteins which form the junctions.	Gap Junction,Junction, Gap,Junctions, Gap
D051379	Mice	The common name for the genus Mus.	Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus