Mouse Epidermal Growth Factor Research Articles

PH-dependent receptor/ligand dissociation as a determining factor for intracellular sorting of ligands for epidermal growth factor receptors in rat hepatocytes

Both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-α (TGFα) bind to EGF receptors and TGFα has been reported to be more potent than EGF as far as many biological effects are concerned. One possible reason for this is thought to be the difference in their dissociation from the receptors in intracellular acidic compartments, which may affect the final pathway (lysosomal degradation or recycling to cell-surface) of endocytosed ligands. This study was aimed at clarifying the relationship between intracellular dissociation from the receptors and the fate of the endocytosed ligands. First, 125I-human EGF (hEGF), mouse EGF (mEGF), or human TGFα (hTGFα) was prebound to cell-surface receptors or intracellularly preloaded, followed by further incubation at 37 °C in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. In these experiments, the magnitude of the dissociation rate constant ( k off) of each ligand at pH 6.0, which is similar to that inside early endosomes, was found to be in the following order: hTGFα>mEGF>hEGF. The recycled portion of endocytosed ligands was also in the order: hTGFα>mEGF>hEGF. Digitonin treatment of preloaded cells revealed that the intracellular dissociation of hTGFα was more rapid than that of hEGF. Moreover, several histidine-inserted or -deleted hEGF mutants were prebound to rat liver sinusoidal membrane vesicle, followed by further incubation at 37 °C. The dissociation rate of histidine-deleted hEGF mutants was less rapid than that of hEGF itself. These results suggested that efficient dissociation in the earlier intracellular compartment leads the endocytosed ligands to be recycled to the cell surface whereas late dissociation results in intracellular degradation in hepatocytes. Thus, one possible strategy to improve their stability in the circulation may be a change in intracellular ligand/receptor dissociation with a minimal effect on the affinity for receptors on the cell-surface and histidine residues may partly contribute to the pH-sensitive dissociation.

ShcA tyrosine phosphorylation sites can replace ShcA binding in signalling by middle T-antigen.

ShcA and Grb2 are crucial components in signalling by most tyrosine kinase-associated receptors. How ever, it is not clear whether Grb2 bound directly to the receptor is equivalent to Grb2 associated via ShcA. We have used signalling stimulated by the middle T-antigen (MT) of polyoma virus to address this question. The two known Grb2-binding sites from murine ShcA, 313Y and 239/240YY, could functionally replace the MT ShcA-interacting region in transformation assays using Rat2 fibroblasts. This demonstrates that signal output from membrane-bound ShcA requires only these two sequences and the ShcA-binding site in MT does not recruit other signalling molecules. Two standard Grb2-interacting sequences, either from the EGF receptor or the ShcA 313Y region, could not replace the requirement for ShcA binding to MT, indicating an enhanced role for the ShcA 239/240YY motif. Sos1 and the docking protein Gab1 are brought into the MT complex through Grb2 association and this may be more effective using the 239/240YY sequence.

Crystal Structure of Human Epidermal Growth Factor and Its Dimerization

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a typical growth-stimulating peptide and functions by binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inducing dimerization of the receptors. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of EGF-induced dimerization of EGF receptors. The crystal structure of human EGF has been determined at pH 8.1. There are two human EGF molecules A and B in the asymmetric unit of the crystals, which form a potential dimer. Importantly, a number of residues known to be indispensable for EGF binding to its receptor are involved in the interface between the two EGF molecules, suggesting a crucial role of EGF dimerization in the EGF-induced dimerization of receptors. In addition, the crystal structure of EGF shares the main features of the NMR structure of mouse EGF determined at pH 2.0, but structural comparisons between different models have revealed new detailed features and properties of the EGF structure.

Comparative Genomic Sequence Analysis and Isolation of Human and Mouse Alternative EGFR Transcripts Encoding Truncated Receptor Isoforms

This study presents the annotated genomic sequence and exon–intron organization of the human and mouse epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genes located on chromosomes 7p11.2 and 11, respectively. We report that the EGFR gene spans nearly 200 kb and that the full-length 170-kDa EGFR is encoded by 28 exons. In addition, we have identified two human and two mouse alternative EGFR transcripts of 2.4–3.0 kb using both computational and experimental methods. The human 3.0-kb and mouse 2.8-kb EGFR mRNAs are predominantly expressed in placenta and liver, respectively, and both transcripts encode 110-kDa truncated receptor isoforms containing only the extracellular ligand-binding domain. We also have demonstrated that the aberrant 2.8-kb EGFR transcript produced by the human A431 carcinoma cell line is generated by splicing to a recombinant 3′-terminal exon located in EGFR intron 16, which apparently was formed as a result of a chromosomal translocation. Finally, we have shown that the human, mouse, rat, and chicken 1.8- to 3.0-kb alternative EGFR transcripts are generated by distinct splicing mechanisms and that each of these mRNAs contains unique 3′ sequences that are not evolutionarily conserved. The presence of truncated receptor isoforms in diverse species suggests that these proteins may have important functional roles in regulating EGFR activity.

Histamine Induces Melanogenesis and Morphologic Changes by Protein Kinase A Activation via H2 Receptors in Human Normal Melanocytes

Hyperpigmentation frequently accompanies chronic or acute inflammation. A number of inflammatory mediators have been shown to stimulate melanin synthesis in human melanocytes. Although histamine is ubiquitous as an inflammatory factor, its involvement in pigmentation remains obscure. In this work, we examined the effects of histamine on cultured human melanocytes. Treatment of human melanocytes with 0.1-10 microM histamine evoked morphologic changes and increases in tyrosinase activity. The concomitant increases in melanin content of the histamine-treated melanocytes indicated an elevation of melanin synthesis by tyrosinase activation. These stimulatory effects of histamine were completely inhibited by an H2 antagonist, famotidine, whereas H1 and H3 antagonists had no inhibitory effect whatsoever. In addition, an H2 agonist, dimaprit, induced the same degree of melanogenesis as histamine at concentrations of 0.1-10 microM. We observed an increase in the intracellular cAMP contents of human melanocytes induced by histamine via the H2 receptors. We know that this cAMP accumulation and subsequent protein kinase A activation plays a critical role in histamine-induced melanogenesis, because a specific protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89, completely suppressed these stimulatory effects of histamine, and because dibutylic cAMP, a specific protein kinase A activator, stimulated human melanocytes as potently as histamine. Taken together, we show here that histamine induces melanogenesis of human cultured melanocytes by protein kinase A activation via H2 receptors.

Effects of dextranation on the pharmacokinetics of short peptides. A PET study on mEGF.

The effects of dextranation on the biodistribution of mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF, 6 kDa) were assessed. By reductive amination, mEGF was coupled to 13 and 46 kDa dextran. The two dextranated conjugates and free mEGF were labeled with the positron-emitting nuclide (76)Br (T(1/2) = 16 h). After intravenous administration to Sprague Dawley rats, the radioactivity biodistribution was evaluated by positron emission tomography (PET) and by measurements of dissected tissues. The dextranation prolonged the retention time in blood, especially when the dextran chain was long. [(76)Br]mEGF-dextran conjugates were shown to have significantly, more than 5 times, lower kidney accumulation than the nonconjugated [(76)Br]mEGF. In conclusion, dextranation affects the biodistribution of mEGF in vivo giving a prolonged circulation time, a decreased uptake in kidney, and an increased spleen accumulation.

Intestinal overexpression of EGF in transgenic mice enhances adaptation after small bowel resection.

The effect of direct intestinal overexpression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on postresection adaptation has been investigated by the production of transgenic mouse lines. A murine pro-EGF cDNA construct was produced, and expression of the EGF construct was targeted to the small intestine with the use of the rat intestinal fatty acid-binding protein promoter. An approximately twofold increase in intestinal EGF mRNA and protein was detected in heterozygous mice. No changes in serum EGF levels were noted. Except for a slightly shortened small intestine, no other abnormal phenotype was observed. Intestinal adaptation (increases in body weight, DNA, protein content, villus height, and crypt depth) was markedly enhanced after a 50% proximal small bowel resection in transgenic mice compared with nontransgenic littermates. This transgenic mouse model permits the study of intestinal adaptation and other effects of EGF in the small intestine in a more physiological and directed manner than has been previously possible. These results endorse a direct autocrine/paracrine mechanism for EGF on enterocytes as a means to enhance adaptation.

An Unusual Coupling of Poly(Ethylene Glycol) to Tyrosine Residues in Epidermal Growth Factor

An unusual covalent binding of hydroxysuccinimidyl ester activated polyethylene glycol), PEG, was found in the modification of a genetic variant of mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF): PEG was bound not only to the amino groups of the polypeptide as expected, but to a tyrosine residue as well. This unexpected PEGylation is related to the tyrosine environment in the peptide which does not occur in human EGF; furthermore, it is related to PEG size since it was found to occur to a greater extent with the PEG 5,000 molecular weight, than with the more hindered PEG 10,000.

Pharmacological effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) with focus on the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) belongs to a family of growth factor ligands and receptors. At present, five ligands have been recognized which as EGF exert their effects via binding to the same EGF receptor. The family has three other receptors erbB2, erbB3, and erbB4, which have their own ligands (the heregulins). The system is ubiquitously distributed in mammals, and has important roles in normal development, and in regenerative and neoplastic growth. Mouse and human EGF were discovered in 1962 and 1975 by Stanley Cohen and Harry Gregory, respectively, due to EGFs potent systemic effects. EGF accelerated eyelid opening in newborn mice and inhibited gastric acid secretion in humans. Already in the late thirties, a factor in human urine was recognized which prevented or accelerated healing of experimental damage in the gastrointestinal tract. This factor appeared to be EGF. Around 1980, an effect of commercial interest was described-EGF caused shedding of the fleece in sheep. In line with the original observations, several studies have examined effects of EGF on developmental processes. Amongst other effects, EGF accelerates lung and intestinal maturation before birth and in newborn mammals. Due to the possible use of EGF in the wool industry, it was mandatory to know more about EGF. Amongst other effects in mature sheep and other animals are haemodynamic changes, changes in electrolyte homeostasis, and endocrinological changes. In relation to experimental damage, the therapeutic potential of systemic EGF has been demonstrated in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract, in the kidneys, in the liver and in the trachea. EGF has even been tried in humans in gastric ulcer healing and in necrotising enterocolitis. Studies on prolonged treatment with EGF have first recently appeared. We described effects of 4-5 weeks of treatment in Goettingen minipigs and in rats, and two other groups described effects in monkeys and in rats. In summary, species differences were observed. The species of higher order were most sensitive to treatment with EGF. EGF did not consistently change the total body weight despite EGF consistently reduced circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in Goettingen minipigs as well as in rats. Low circulating levels of IGF-I are usually associated with retarded growth. This review mostly focuses on the organs which appeared to be most sensitive to EGF, the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts including the liver and the pancreas. The histopathological changes consisted mainly of epithelial proliferations in the gastrointestinal, urinary and respiratory tracts. These findings match the knowledge obtained from animals overexpressing the EGF agonist, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), and the mice with a knock out of the gene encoding for the EGF receptor. EGF receptor hyperstimulation (TGF alpha overexpression) in the context of the whole animal leads to epithelial proliferations whereas hypostimulation (EGF receptor knock out) leads to epithelial immaturities. In the minipigs, the epithelia of the oesophagus, ducts of the pancreas, and the urothelium were hyperplastic, the latter two epithelia with accumulation of glycoconjugates. In the rats, the epithelial hyperplasias in these tissues and in the small and large intestines were without glycoconjugate accumulations. In rats, the mucosal proliferations in the intestines resulted in increased mucosal surface area. Mesenchymal growth effects were also noted. In the ureters of the minipigs, smooth muscle cell hyperplasia and hypertrophia were found. The heart of the minipigs was also enlarged, an interesting finding regarding interactions between the different parts of the EGF system, as knock out mice of the receptors erbB2 and erbB4 die due to maldevelopments in the heart. Measurements in blood and serum also revealed consistent changes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Conjugate Chemistry and Cellular Processing of EGF-Dextran

Conjugates with specific binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR, of interest for radionuclide based imaging and therapy were prepared using mouse epidermal growth factor, mEGF, and dextran. In one type of conjugate, mEGF was coupled to dextran by reductive amination in which the free amino group on the mEGF N-terminal reacted with the aldehyde group on the reductive end of dextran. The end-end coupled conjugate could be further activated by the cyanopyridinium agent CDAP, thereby introducing tyrosines to the dextran part. In the other type of conjugate, the cyanylating procedure using CDAP was applied, first to activate dextran and then allowing for the amino terminus of mEGF to randomly attach to the dextran. In the latter case, radionuclide-labelled tyrosines or glycines could be added in the same conjugation step. All types of mEGF-dextran conjugates had EGFR-specific binding since the binding could be displaced by an excess of non-radioactive mEGF. The conjugates were to a large extent internalized in the test cells and the associated radioactivity was retained intracellularly for different times depending on both the type of cells and conjugate applied. Different intracellular 'traffic routes' for the radionuclides are discussed as well as applications for both imaging and therapy.

Adaptation after small bowel resection is attenuated by sialoadenectomy: The role for endogenous epidermal growth factor

Background: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is likely involved during adaptation after small bowel resection (SBR) because some studies have shown enhanced adaptation by EGF administration. Because the major source of endogenous EGF in mice is the submandibular glands, we sought to determine the effect of submandibular gland excision (SAL) and luminal or systemic EGF replacement on adaptation after SBR. Methods: A 50% proximal SBR or Sham-SBR (bowel transection and reanastomosis) was performed on male C57BL/6 mice after either SAL or gland mobilization only. Additional mice underwent both SBR and SAL and then received daily EGF or saline solution by intraperitoneal or orogastric administration. At 1 week, adaptation was characterized in the ileum as changes in villus height, DNA, and protein content. Results: SAL significantly attenuated the increase in ileal villus height, total protein, and DNA content after SBR. Both systemic and oral EGF reversed these findings equally and significantly augmented all parameters of intestinal adaptation after SAL. Conclusions: Submandibular EGF is important for the adaptive response to massive SBR. As both luminal and systemic EGF equally reversed the findings following SAL and SBR, the specific site of action for endogenous EGF during adaptation is either the luminal or basolateral surface of the enterocyte. (Surgery 1998;124:848-54.)

Regulation of cell functions by micropattern-immobilized biosignal molecules

A photoreactive biosignal molecule was synthesized by conjugating mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) with photoreactive polyallylamine, which was synthesized by the coupling reaction of polyallylamine with N-(4-azidobenzoyloxy)succinimide. The EGF derivative was pattern immobilized onto a polystyrene plate by UV-irradiation in the presence of a photomask in a prescribed micropattern. The patterned immobilization of EGF on the polystyrene plate was confirmed by immunostaining with an anti-EGF antibody. Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing EGF receptors were cultured on the micropatterned plate. The phosphorylated tyrosine residues of EGF receptors and signal proteins were detected only in the cells adhered in the EGF-immobilized area and cell growth was observed only in the EGF-immobilized area. The cells growing in the EGF-immobilized area were partially stained by an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, when the area of EGF immobilization was smaller than the cell. The partial staining of activated proteins indicates that immobilization of the EGF inhibited the free lateral diffusion and internalization of the activated EGF/EGF-receptor complex. The enhanced cell growth is due to juxtacrine stimulation realized by immobilized EGF.

Conjugate chemistry, iodination and cellular binding of mEGF-dextran-tyrosine: preclinical tests in preparation for clinical trials.

A conjugate with specific binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR, and of interest for clinical tests was prepared using mouse epidermal growth factor, mEGF, and dextran. The mEGF was first coupled to dextran by reductive amination in which the free amino group on the N-terminal of mEGF was reacted with the aldehyde group on the reductive end of the dextran chain. The end-end coupled intermediate was further activated by the cyanopyridinium agent CDAP and tyrosines introduced to the dextran part of the conjugate. The mEGF-dextran-tyrosine conjugate was, with high efficiency, iodinated with the chloramine-T method. Approximately 25-35% of the radioactivity could be removed from the conjugate after exposure to protease K while 65-75% of the radioactivity could be removed after exposure to dextranase. Thus, the largest amount of the iodine was on the dextran part of the conjugate. The iodinated mEGF-dextran-tyrosine had EGFR specific binding since the binding to an EGFR rich human glioma cell line could be displaced by an excess of non-radioactive mEGF. The conjugate was to a large extent internalized in these cells and the administrated radioactivity was thereby retained inside the cells for at least up to 50 h.

Micropatterned immobilization of epidermal growth factor to regulate cell function.

Photoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) was synthesized by conjugating mouse EGF with photoreactive polyallylamine, which was synthesized by the coupling reaction of polyallylamine with N-[4-(azidobenzoyl)oxy]succinimide. The EGF derivative was pattern-immobilized onto a polystyrene plate by UV irradiation in the presence of a photomask in a prescribed micropattern. The patterned immobilization of EGF on the polystyrene plate was confirmed by immunostaining with anti-EGF antibody. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells overexpressing EGF receptors were cultured on the micropatterned plate. The phosphorylated tyrosine residues of signal proteins, including EGF receptors, were detected only in the cells adhered in the EGF-immobilized area, and cell growth was observed only in the EGF-immobilized area. The cells growing in the EGF-immobilized area were partially stained by anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, when the area of EGF immobilization was smaller than the cell. The partial staining of activated proteins indicates that immobilization of EGF inhibited the free lateral diffusion and internalization of the activated EGF-EGF receptor complex. The enhanced cell growth is due to juxtacrine stimulation realized by immobilized EGF.

Pig epidermal growth factor precursor contains segments that are highly conserved among species

The 53-aa polypeptide epidermal growth factor (EGF) is synthesized as a 1200-aa precursor. The non-EGF part of the precursor is very long compared with EGF, and can therefore be expected to have a biological role of its own. We have sequenced cDNA of the pig EGF precursor and compared a 668-aa segment with that of the human, the rat and the mouse EGF precursors, in order to identify highly conserved domains. The examined part of the precursor contains EGF itself and six so-called EGF-like modules. The overall amino acid identity among the four species is 64%. However, the amino acid identity differed from around 30% in some segments to around 70% in others. The highest amino acid identity, 71%, was observed for a 345-aa segment that contains three EGF-like modules and which is homologous to a part of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL receptor). The amino acid identities are 64% for EGF itself, and 50-67% for the remaining three EGF-like modules. The segment of the LDL receptor that is homologous to a part of the EGF precursor is important for the function of the LDL receptor, and EGF-like modules seem to be involved in protein-protein interactions in a number of proteins. In conclusion, some segments of the EGF precursor are remarkably well conserved among species and it is tempting to speculate that they have a biological function.

Preparation and purification of an end to end coupled mEGF-dextran conjugate.

The amino terminus of mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) was coupled directly to the aldehyde end of dextran through a reductive amination procedure. The highest coupling efficiency was approximately 80% and could be reached after approximately 24 h of reaction time at pH 8. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 Fine removed free mEGF from the conjugate. Preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to separate the conjugate from excess noncharged dextran. The conjugate bound specifically to the EGF receptor on cultured glioma cells as shown in displacement tests with free mEGF. The conjugate was stable in the pH interval 4-9, in 2 M sodium chloride, in 7 M urea, and in human serum and could still bind to the EGF receptor after such treatments. The conjugates are candidates for targeted nuclide therapy.

Identification of a minimal promoter element of the mouse epidermal growth factor gene.

We have previously generated a transgenic mouse line (EGF/Tag) in which simian virus 40 (SV40) T-antigen expression is directed by the mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene promoter. In these mice, cellular hyperproliferation is observed in the submaxillary gland associated with SV40 T-antigen expression. In addition, SV40 T-antigen-expressing tumours of prostatic origin are seen. We have now derived immortalized cell lines from these tissues and have used the cells to perform a functional analysis of the EGF gene promoter. Cells were transfected with EGF promoter/reporter constructs, and an element located between 51 and 35 bases upstream of the EGF mRNA start site required for basal activity of the promoter was identified. Electrophoretic mobility-shift analysis suggests that three proteins bind to this region, one of which is either Sp1 or a closely related protein.

Construction of a novel fusion protein harboring mouse interferon γ and epidermal growth factor receptor binding domain and enhancement of its antitumor activity

A novel fusion protein harboring mouse interferon gamma and epidermal growth factor receptor binding domain was constructed with the method of genetic and protein engineering. The fusion protein kept complete antiviral activity with the titer of 10(8) IU per liter of culture. The EGF-RBD of the fusion protein exhibited competitive binding activity against(125)I-mEGF for mEGF receptors on A431 cells. The fusion protein was shown to be more potent in inhibiting the growth of cultured mouse breast carcinoma cells than interferon gamma. Experimental data on mouse B16 malignant melanoma model indicated that the tumor weight of fusion protein-treated group was statistically significantly smaller than that of interferon gamma -treated group. The work here provides a necessarily reliable clue for the upcoming clinical employment of a novel class of targeting interferons.

Enhancement of the mitogenic effect by artificial juxtacrine stimulation using immobilized EGF.

Mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) was covalently conjugated with the water-soluble polymer, poly(acrylic acid) (EGF-PAA), or with the water-insoluble polymer, surface-hydrolyzed poly(methyl methacrylate) (EGF-PMMA). Immobilized EGF (EGF-PMMA) stimulated DNA synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing EGF receptors in amounts that were 5 to 10% of those of free EGF required for comparable effects. In addition, the maximal mitogenic effect of EGF-PMMA was greater than that of unconjugated EGF or EGF-PAA. EGF, EGF-PAA, and EGF-PMMA induced the autophosphorylation of EGF receptors and the stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. However, whereas the onset of these effects was delayed with EGF-PMMA, they persisted for much longer than those of EGF and EGF-PAA. Unlike EGF and EGF-PAA, EGF-PMMA was not associated with cells after their removal from culture and did not induce receptor internalization. Culturing cells with PMMA-immobilized EGF thus represents a model system for studying "juxtacrine" stimulation of cells by membrane-bound growth factors.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on maternal and fetal serum amino acid levels in rats.

Pregnant rats were subcutaneously administered with mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) at the concentration of 0, 100, or 200 micrograms/kg body weight/day from day 18 to 21 of gestation. The amino acid analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that the umbilical venous/maternal and fetal/maternal ratio of serum proline concentration increased in EGF dose-dependent manner accompanied by the increase in the ratios of total fetal weight and placental weight to maternal body weight gain. These results suggested that EGF regulates fetal growth by, as one of its possible mechanism, promoting placental proline supply from mother to fetus.