PDGF-C is a new protease-activated ligand for the PDGF alpha-receptor

  • Nat Cell Biol. 2000 May;2(5):302-9. doi: 10.1038/35010579.
X Li  1 ,  A Pontén ,  K Aase ,  L Karlsson ,  A Abramsson ,  M Uutela ,  G Bäckström ,  M Hellström ,  H Boström ,  H Li ,  P Soriano ,  C Betsholtz ,  C H Heldin ,  K Alitalo ,  A Ostman ,  U Eriksson
Affiliations
  • 1. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Stockholm, Sweden.
PMID: 10806482 DOI: 10.1038/35010579
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 alpha-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 alpha-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.