Article abstract
Nature Cell Biology 2, 302 - 309 (2000)
Published online: 7 April 2000 | doi:10.1038/35010579
PDGF-C is a new protease-activated ligand for the PDGF 
-receptor
Xuri Li1, Annica Pontén1, Karin Aase1, Linda Karlsson2, Alexandra Abramsson2, Marko Uutela3, Gudrun Bäckström4, Mats Hellström2, Hans Boström2, Hong Li1, Philippe Soriano5, Christer Betsholtz2, Carl-Henrik Heldin4, Kari Alitalo3, Arne Östman4 & Ulf Eriksson1
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are important in many types of
mesenchymal cell. Here we identify a new PDGF, PDGF-C, which binds to and
activates the PDGF 
-receptor. PDGF-C is activated by proteolysis and
induces proliferation of fibroblasts when overexpressed in transgenic mice.
In situ hybridization analysis in the murine embryonic kidney shows preferential
expression of PDGF-C messenger RNA in the metanephric mesenchyme during epithelial
conversion. Analysis of kidneys lacking the PDGF -receptor shows selective
loss of mesenchymal cells adjacent to sites of expression of PDGF-C mRNA;
this is not found in kidneys from animals lacking PDGF-A or both PDGF-A and
PDGF-B, indicating that PDGF-C may have a unique function.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Stockholm Branch, Box 240, S-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Göteborg, Medicinaregatan 9A, S-41390 Göteborg, Sweden
- Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, PO Box 21 (Haartmaninkatu 3), SF-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Uppsala Branch, Box 595, S-75124 Uppsala, Sweden
- Program in Developmental Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, A2-025, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, PO Box 19024, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA
Correspondence to: Ulf Eriksson1 e-mail: ueri@licr.ki.se
