Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a basic protein of relative molecular mass 30,000 (Mr 30K) composed of two polypeptide chains, designated PDGF A and PDGF B1,2. The B-chain is encoded by the c-sis gene, the cellular counterpart of the simian sarcoma virus transforming gene v-sis1,3,4. The PDGF A-chain cDNA clones recently isolated and sequenced from a transformed human clonal glioma cell line represent at least two alternatively spliced transcript species differing by 69 base pairs at the C-terminus5. Here we demonstrate that the normal human umbilical vein endothelial cell (EC) A chain precursor lacks the 15 carboxy-terminal, highly basic amino acids encoded by the larger tumour cell cDNA. Surprisingly, culture media from monkey kidney cells (COS) transfected with the endothelial cDNA clone contained much less mitogenic activity than media from cells transfected with the longer tumour cell-derived A-chain cDNA. This functional difference appeared to be due to inefficient assembly or secretion of the recombinant endothelial-type growth factor. This suggests that some transformed cells may use alternative RNA splicing to modify normal growth factors and by so doing increase the efficiency of mitogen assembly or secretion.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Collins, T., Bonthron, D. & Orkin, S. Alternative RNA splicing affects function of encoded platelet-derived growth factor A chain. Nature 328, 621–624 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/328621a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/328621a0
This article is cited by
-
Signals controlling the expression of PDGF
Molecular Biology Reports (1996)
-
Recent developments in the structure, function and regulation of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptors
Cytotechnology (1989)
-
Basic fibroblast growth factor and its relation to angiogenesis in normal and neoplastic tissue
Klinische Wochenschrift (1988)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.