Upon ligand-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor (PDGFR) beta subunit associates with PLC-gamma 1, RasGAP, P13K, and a 64 kd protein. To determine the relative role of each of these associated proteins in PDGFR signaling, we constructed a PDGFR mutant (F5) unable to bind any of them and a panel of "add-back" mutants that could bind only one of the receptor-associated proteins. F5 PDGFR failed to activate PLC-gamma 1, P13K, or Ras and was unable to trigger DNA synthesis. Permitting association of F5 PDGFR with either PLC-gamma 1 or P13K restored Ras activation and a mitogenic response. Surprisingly, even though binding of the 64 kd protein almost fully restored Ras activation, it did not rescue the receptor's ability to trigger DNA synthesis. Thus Ras activation is insufficient to trigger PDGF-dependent DNA synthesis, and PLC-gamma 1 and P13K are independent downstream mediators of PDGF's mitogenic signal.

The receptor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) binds two proteins containing SH2 domains, GTPase activating protein (GAP) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). The sites on the receptor that mediate this interaction were identified by using phosphotyrosine-containing peptides representing receptor sequences to block specifically binding of either PI3-kinase or GAP. These results suggested that PI3-kinase binds two phosphotyrosine residues, each located in a 5 aa motif with an essential methionine at the fourth position C-terminal to the tyrosine. Point mutations at these sites caused a selective elimination of PI3-kinase binding and loss of PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis. Mutation of the binding site for GAP prevented the receptor from associating with or phosphorylating GAP, but had no effect on PI3-kinase binding and little effect on DNA synthesis. Therefore, GAP and PI3-kinase interact with the receptor by binding to different phosphotyrosine-containing sequence motifs.

Growth factors, defined as polypeptides that stimulate cell proliferation, are major growth-regulatory molecules for cells in culture and probably also for cells in vivo. Nontransformed cells show an absolute requirement for growth factors for proliferation in culture and generally more than one growth factor is required. Under usual culture conditions, growth factors are more rapidly depleted than other media components and thus become rate limiting for proliferation. The loss of or decreased requirement for specific growth factors is a common occurrence in neoplastically transformed cells and may lead to a growth advantage, a cardinal feature of cancer cells. Recent work with transforming growth factors, the platelet-derived growth factor, and oncogenes has produced some insight into the mechanisms through which alterations in growth factor-receptor-response pathways could lead to a growth advantage. Evidence has been derived for autocrine secretion in which the cell produces its own growth factor. Many transformed mesenchymal cells produce PDGF (the product of the c-sis proto-oncogene) and certain transformed cells both produce and respond in a growth-stimulatory manner to TGF beta. With TGF beta, which is a growth inhibitor for certain epithelial and other cell types, the loss of the normal inhibitory response in transformed cells could have the same result as the activation of a growth-stimulatory response. Two proto-oncogenes, erbB and fms, encode growth factor receptors. In the erbB case, the viral erbB aberrant receptor produced is truncated and appears to be constitutively activated without the need for a growth factor. Recent studies suggest that the p21 product of the ras oncogene may be an obligatory intermediate in transducing the growth factor signal. Activation of ras may, therefore, activate the growth factor pathway without the need for either a growth factor or its receptor. The transcription of myc and fos is induced by growth factor stimulation of quiescent cells. The protein products of both are nuclear associated and conceivably could be involved in regulating other genes important in the control of cell proliferation. Activation or inappropriate expression of either myc or fos could produce the same end result as stimulation of a growth factor pathway leading to a growth advantage. Study of the molecular mechanism(s) of growth factor action has just begun. The excitement and attention focused on cellular oncogenes in recent years is now turning toward growth factors, not only as they concern the control of normal cell growth but also the involvement of growth factor-initiated pathways in the etiology of cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of the GTPase activating protein (GAP) in 3T3 cells and in CHO cells expressing wild-type PDGF receptors, but not in several CHO cell lines expressing mutant receptors defective in transmitting mitogenic signals. Following PDGF treatment of cells, GAP physically associated with the PDGF receptor and with Raf-1, phospholipase c-gamma, and PI-3 kinase, suggesting that PDGF induced the formation of complexes of signaling molecules. The association of GAP with the PDGF receptor and the phosphorylation of GAP with the PDGF receptor and the phosphorylation of GAP were reconstituted in vitro using purified protein and in insect cells expressing murine PDGF receptor and human GAP. However, in cells transformed by activated c-Ha-ras, which are defective in certain responses to PDGF, GAP failed to associate with the PDGF receptor or increase its phosphotyrosine content in response to PDGF. The association of GAP with ligand-activated PDGF receptors may directly link PDGF and ras signaling pathways.

PTK787/ZK 222584 (1-[4-chloroanilino]-4-[4-pyridylmethyl] phthalazine succinate) is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinases, active in the submicromolar range. It also inhibits other class III kinases, such as the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor beta tyrosine kinase, c-Kit, and c-Fms, but at higher concentrations. It is not active against kinases from other receptor families, such as epidermal growth factor receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, c-Met, and Tie-2, or intracellular kinases such as c-Src, c-Abl, and protein kinase C-alpha. PTK787/ZK 222584 inhibits VEGF-induced autophosphorylation of kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR), endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival in the nanomolar range in cell-based assays. In concentrations up to 1 microM, PTK787/ZK 222584 does not have any cytotoxic or antiproliferative effect on cells that do not express VEGF receptors. After oral dosing (50 mg/kg) to mice, plasma concentrations of PTK787/ZK 222584 remain above 1 microM for more than 8 h. PTK787/ZK 222584 induces dose-dependent inhibition of VEGF and PDGF-induced angiogenesis in a growth factor implant model, as well as a tumor cell-driven angiogenesis model after once-daily oral dosing (25-100 mg/kg). In the same dose range, it also inhibits the growth of several human carcinomas, grown s.c. in nude mice, as well as a murine renal carcinoma and its metastases in a syngeneic, orthotopic model. Histological examination of tumors revealed inhibition of microvessel formation in the interior of the tumor. PTK787/ZK 222584 is very well tolerated and does not impair wound healing. It also does not have any significant effects on circulating blood cells or bone marrow leukocytes as a single agent or impair hematopoetic recovery after concomitant cytotoxic anti-cancer agent challenge. This novel compound has therapeutic potential for the treatment of solid tumors and other diseases where angiogenesis plays an important role.

Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMF) and the interstitial cells of Cajal are the two types of myofibroblasts identified in the intestine. Intestinal myofibroblasts are activated and proliferate in response to various growth factors, particularly the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family, which includes PDGF-BB and stem cell factor (SCF), through expression of PDGF receptors and the SCF receptor c-kit. ISEMF have been shown to play important roles in the organogenesis of the intestine, and growth factors and cytokines secreted by these cells promote epithelial restitution and proliferation, i.e., wound repair. Their role in the fibrosis of Crohn's disease and collagenous colitis is being investigated. Through cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 activation, ISEMF augment intestinal ion secretion in response to certain secretagogues. By forming a subepithelial barrier to Na(+) diffusion, they create a hypertonic compartment that may account for the ability of the gut to transport fluid against an adverse osmotic gradient. Through the paracrine secretion of prostaglandins and growth factors (e.g., transforming growth factor-beta), ISEMF may play a role in colonic tumorigenesis and metastasis. COX-2 in polyp ISEMF may be a target for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which would account for the regression of the neoplasms in familial adenomatous polyposis and the preventive effect of NSAIDs in the development of sporadic colon neoplasms. More investigation is needed to clarify the functions of these pleiotropic cells.

Quiescent BALB/c 3T3 cells exposed briefly to a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) become "competent" to replicate their DNA but do not "progress" into S phase unless incubated with growth factors contained in platelet-poor plasma. Plasma from hypophysectomized rats is deficient in progression activity; it does not stimulate PDGF-treated competent cells to synthesize DNA, demonstrating that somatomedin C is required for progression. Various growth factors were tested for progression activity and competence activity by using BALB/c 3T3 tissue culture assays. Multiplication stimulating activity and other members of the somatomedin family of growth factors are (like somatomedin C) potent mediators of progression. Other mitogenic agents, such as fibroblast growth factor, are (like PDGF) potent inducers of competence. Growth factors with potent progression activity have little or no competence activity and vice versa. In contrast, simian virus 40 provides both competence and progression activity. Coordinate control of BALB/c 3T3 cell growth in vitro by competence factors and somatomedins may be a specific example of a common pattern of growth regulation in animal tissues.

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have shown that cells from bone marrow (BM), muscle, and brain may have greater plasticity than previously known. We have identified multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) in postnatal human and rodent BM that copurify with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). BM MAPC proliferate without senescence and differentiate into mesodermal, neuroectodermal, and endodermal cell types. We hypothesized that cells with characteristics similar to BM MAPC can be selected and cultured from tissues other than BM.

METHODS

BM, whole brain, and whole muscle tissue was obtained from mice. Cells were plated on Dulbecco modified Eagle medium supplemented with 2% fetal calf serum and 10 ng/mL epidermal growth factor (EGF), 10 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), and 1000 units/mL leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) for more than 6 months. Cells were maintained between 0.5 and 1.5 x 10(3) cells/cm(2). At variable time points, we tested cell phenotype by FACS and evaluated their differentiation into endothelial cells, neuroectodermal cells, and endodermal cells in vitro. We also compared the expressed gene profile in BM, muscle, and brain MAPC by Affimetrix gene array analysis.

RESULTS

Cells could be cultured from BM, muscle, and brain that proliferated for more than 70 population doublings (PDs) and were negative for CD44, CD45, major histocompatibility complex class I and II, and c-kit. Cells from the three tissues differentiated to cells with morphologic and phenotypic characteristics of endothelium, neurons, glia, and hepatocytes. The expressed gene profile of cells derived from the three tissues was identical (r(2)>> 0.975).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that cells with MAPC characteristics can be isolated not only from BM, but also from brain and muscle tissue. Whether MAPC originally derived from BM are circulating or all organs contain stem cells with MAPC characteristics currently is being studied. Presence of MAPC in multiple tissues may help explain the "plasticity" found in multiple adult tissues.

Recent advances in genetic manipulation have greatly expanded our understanding of cellular responses to platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) during animal development. In addition to driving mesenchymal proliferation, PDGFs have been shown to direct the migration, differentiation and function of a variety of specialized mesenchymal and migratory cell types, both during development and in the adult animal. Furthermore, the availability of genomic sequence data has facilitated the identification of novel PDGF and PDGF receptor (PDGFR) family members in C. elegans, Drosophila, Xenopus, zebrafish and mouse. Early data from these different systems suggest that some functions of PDGFs have been evolutionarily conserved.

In BALB/c-3T3 cells, expression of the c-myc gene is stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Using mouse mammary tumour virus promoter: c-myc recombinant plasmids, 3T3 sublines were constructed in which hydrocortisone was the primary determinant of myc mRNA content. The c-myc gene product is an intracellular mediator of the growth response to PDGF though probably not the only one. Both the human and the mouse c-myc genes stimulate clonal growth of 3T3 cells in PDGF-free medium suggesting new strategies for analysis of oncogenes which do not function in focus formation assays.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins perform key roles in mediating signaling by cytokines and growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). In addition, Src family kinases activate STAT signaling and are required for PDGF-induced mitogenesis in normal cells. One STAT family member, Stat3, has been shown to have an essential role in cell transformation by the Src oncoprotein. However, the mechanisms by which STAT-signaling pathways contribute to mitogenesis and transformation are not fully defined. We show here that disruption of Stat3 signaling by using dominant-negative Stat3beta protein in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts suppresses c-Myc expression concomitant with inhibition of v-Src-induced transformation. Ectopic expression of c-Myc is able to partially reverse this inhibition, suggesting that c-Myc is a downstream effector of Stat3 signaling in v-Src transformation. Furthermore, c-myc gene knockout fibroblasts are refractory to transformation by v-Src, consistent with a requirement for c-Myc protein in v-Src transformation. In normal NIH 3T3 cells, disruption of Stat3 signaling with dominant-negative Stat3beta protein inhibits PDGF-induced mitogenesis in a manner that is reversed by ectopic c-Myc expression. Moreover, inhibition of Src family kinases with the pharmacologic agent, SU6656, blocks Stat3 activation by PDGF. These findings, combined together, delineate the signaling pathway, PDGF ->> Src ->> Stat3 ->> Myc, that is important in normal PDGF-induced mitogenesis and subverted in Src transformation.

The c-fos proto-oncogene is rapidly and transiently induced by a variety of extracellular stimuli. We have previously shown that conditioned media from v-sis transformed NRK cells rapidly induces a DNA binding protein which binds to a conserved sequence upstream of the human c-fos gene. We now show that purified recombinant c-sis/PDGF can induce this binding activity which we have termed SIF, for sis-inducible factor. Oligonucleotides which bind to the SIF protein will confer sis/PDGF inducibility onto a truncated, unresponsive c-fos promoter. However, sequences lying between -100 and -57 of the c-fos gene are required for this induction. The sis-responsive element functions independently of a region of dyad symmetry previously identified as the serum responsive element (SRE). The time course of c-fos expression driven by the sis-responsive element is similar to that mediated by the SRE. Unlike the SRE, which can respond to signals generated by sis/PDGF, serum or phorbol esters, the SIF binding element mediates c-fos induction only in response to sis/PDGF. The SRE and SIF elements function in an additive manner to stimulate the transcription of the c-fos gene in response to sis/PDGF.

Cellular apoptosis induced by hyperglycemia occurs in many vascular cells and is crucial for the initiation of diabetic pathologies. In the retina, pericyte apoptosis and the formation of acellular capillaries, the most specific vascular pathologies attributed to hyperglycemia, is linked to the loss of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-mediated survival actions owing to unknown mechanisms. Here we show that hyperglycemia persistently activates protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta, encoded by Prkcd) and p38alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) to increase the expression of a previously unknown target of PKC-delta signaling, Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), a protein tyrosine phosphatase. This signaling cascade leads to PDGF receptor-beta dephosphorylation and a reduction in downstream signaling from this receptor, resulting in pericyte apoptosis independently of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling. We observed increased PKC-delta activity and an increase in the number of acellular capillaries in diabetic mouse retinas, which were not reversible with insulin treatment that achieved normoglycemia. Unlike diabetic age-matched wild-type mice, diabetic Prkcd(-/-) mice did not show activation of p38alpha MAPK or SHP-1, inhibition of PDGF signaling in vascular cells or the presence of acellular capillaries. We also observed PKC-delta, p38alpha MAPK and SHP-1 activation in brain pericytes and in the renal cortex of diabetic mice. These findings elucidate a new signaling pathway by which hyperglycemia can induce PDGF resistance and increase vascular cell apoptosis to cause diabetic vascular complications.

The clinical success of selective kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib and erlotinib, as therapeutic agents for several human cancers has prompted substantial interest in the further development and clinical testing of such inhibitors for a wide variety of malignancies. While much of this effort has been focused on the receptor tyrosine kinases, including EGFR, HER2, PDGF receptor, c-KIT, and MET, inhibitors of serine/threonine kinases are also beginning to emerge within discovery pipelines. Among these kinases, the RAF and MEK kinases have received substantial attention, owing largely to the relatively high frequency of activating mutations of RAS ( approximately 20% of all human cancers), an upstream activator of the well established RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade, as well as frequent activating mutations in the BRAF kinase ( approximately 7% of all human cancers). Here, we summarize the current state of development of kinase inhibitors directed at this signaling pathway, a few of which have already demonstrating favorable toxicity profiles as well as promising activity in early phase clinical studies.

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.

The protein kinase domains of v-kit, the oncogene of the acute transforming feline retrovirus HZ4-FeSV (HZ4-feline sarcoma virus), CSF-1R (macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor) and PDGFR (platelet derived growth factor receptor) display extensive homology. Because of the close structural relationship of v-kit, CSF-1R and PDGFR we predicted that c-kit would encode a protein kinase transmembrane receptor (Besmer et al., 1986a; Yarden et al., 1986). We have now determined the primary structure of murine c-kit from a DNA clone isolated from a brain cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence of the c-kit cDNA predicts a 975 amino acid protein product with a calculated mol. wt of 109.001 kd. It contains an N-terminal signal peptide, a transmembrane domain (residues 519-543) and in the C-terminal half the v-kit homologous sequences (residues 558-925). c-kit therefore contains the features which are characteristic of a transmembrane receptor kinase. Comparison of c-kit, CSF-1R and PDGFR revealed a unique structural relationship of these receptor kinases suggesting a common evolutionary origin. The outer cellular domain of c-kit was shown to be related to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The sites of expression of c-kit in normal tissue predict a function in the brain and in hematopoietic cells. N-terminal sequences which include the extracellular domain and the transmembrane domain as well as 50 amino acids from the C-terminus of c-kit are deleted in v-kit. These structural alterations are likely determinants of the oncogenic activation of v-kit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A role for proto-oncogenes in the regulation and modulation of cell proliferation has been suggested by the findings that the B-chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is encoded by the proto-oncogene sis and that the erb-B oncogene product is a truncated form of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Furthermore, the product of the proto-oncogene fms (c-fms) may be related or identical to the receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1). v-fms is the transforming gene of the McDonough strain of feline sarcoma virus (SM-FeSV) and belongs to the family of src-related oncogenes which have tyrosine-specific kinase activity. Furthermore, nucleotide sequence analysis of the v-fms gene product revealed topological properties of a cell-surface receptor protein. To elucidate the features involved in the conversion of a normal cell-surface receptor gene into an oncogenic one, we have now determined the complete nucleotide sequence of a human c-fms complementary DNA. The 972-amino-acid c-fms protein has an extracellular domain, a membrane-spanning region, and a cytoplasmic tyrosine protein kinase domain. Comparison of the feline v-fms and human c-fms sequences reveals that the proteins share extensive homology but have different carboxyl termini.

We have investigated the mechanism by which deregulated expression of c-Myc induces death by apoptosis in serum-deprived fibroblasts. We demonstrate that Myc-induced apoptosis in low serum is inhibited by a restricted group of cytokines, principally the insulin-like growth factors and PDGF. Cytokine-mediated protection from apoptosis is not linked to the cytokines' abilities to promote growth. Protection from apoptosis is evident in the post-commitment (mitogen-independent) S/G2/M phases of the cell cycle and also in cells that are profoundly blocked in cell cycle progression by drugs. Moreover, IGF-I inhibition of apoptosis occurs in the absence of protein synthesis, and so does not require immediate early gene expression. We conclude that c-Myc-induced apoptosis does not result from a conflict of growth signals but appears to be a normal physiological aspect of c-Myc function whose execution is regulated by the availability of survival factors. We discuss the possible implications of these findings for models of mammalian cell growth in vivo.

The c-Abl tyrosine kinase localizes to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane in addition to the nucleus. However, there is little information regarding a role for c-Abl in the cytoplasm/plasma membrane compartments. Here we report that a membrane pool of c-Abl is activated by the growth factors PDGF and EGF in fibroblasts. The pattern and kinetics of activation are similar to growth factor activation of Src family kinases. To determine whether a link existed between activation of c-Abl and members of the Src family, we examined c-Abl kinase activity in cells that expressed oncogenic Src proteins. We found that c-Abl kinase activity was increased by 10- to 20-fold in these cells, and that Src and Fyn kinases directly phosphorylated c-Abl in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of wild-type Src potentiated c-Abl activation by growth factors, and a kinase-inactive form of Src reduced this activation, showing that Abl activation by growth factors occurs at least in part via activation of Src kinases. Significantly, we show that c-Abl has a functional role in the morphological response to PDGF. Whereas PDGF treatment of serum-starved wild-type mouse embryo fibroblasts resulted in distinct linear or circular/dorsal membrane ruffling, c-Abl-null cells demonstrated dramatically reduced ruffling in response to PDGF, which was rescued by physiological re-expression of c-Abl. These data identify c-Abl as a downstream target of activated receptor tyrosine kinases and Src family kinases, and show for the first time that c-Abl functions in the cellular response to growth factors.

Human platelets contain a polypeptide growth factor that stimulates the proliferation of connective tissue cells. Purification of this platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was accomplished by heat (100 degrees C) treatment of washed platelets and subsequent ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration in 1 M acetic acid, isoelectric focusing, and preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PDGF has an isoelectric point of 9.8 and a molecular weight ranging from 13,000 to 16,000 as judged by gel filtration in 1 M acetic acid or analytical sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. The specific activity of the purified PDGF is 20 million times greater than that found in unfractionated human serum. Purified PDGF stimulates replicative DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in quiescent density-arrested cultures of BALB/c 3T3 cells at concentrations of 1 ng/ml (0.1 nM).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of many human diseases, including the acute respiratory distress syndrome, Parkinson's disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and Alzheimer's disease. In mammalian cells, several genes known to be induced during the immediate early response to growth factors, including the protooncogenes c-fos and c-myc, have also been shown to be induced by ROS. We show that members of the STAT family of transcription factors, including STAT1 and STAT3, are activated in fibroblasts and A-431 carcinoma cells in response to H2O2. This activation occurs within 5 min, can be inhibited by antioxidants, and does not require protein synthesis. STAT activation in these cell lines is oxidant specific and does not occur in response to superoxide- or nitric oxide-generating stimuli. Buthionine sulfoximine, which depletes intracellular glutathione, also activates the STAT pathway. Moreover, H2O2 stimulates the activity of the known STAT kinases JAK2 and TYK2. Activation of STATs by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is significantly inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine and diphenylene iodonium, indicating that ROS production contributes to STAT activation in response to PDGF. These findings indicate that the JAK-STAT pathway responds to intracellular ROS and that PDGF uses ROS as a second messenger to regulate STAT activation.

Complementary DNA clones of genes induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in BALB/c-3T3 cells were isolated; one such clone contains a domain having nucleotide sequence homology with the third exon of c-fos. This nucleotide sequence homology is reflected in the predicted amino acid sequences of the gene products. Under low stringency conditions, the mouse v-fos gene cross-hybridizes with the PDGF-inducible complementary DNA clone. However, the messenger RNA transcripts of mouse c-fos and the new fos-related gene can be distinguished by gel electrophoresis and by S1 nuclease analysis. Expression of the authentic c-fos gene is induced by PDGF and superinduced by the combination of PDGF and cycloheximide.

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathway is a critical regulator of animal development and homeostasis. Activation of the PDGF pathway leads to neointimal proliferative responses to artery injury; it promotes a switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC) to a less contractile phenotype by inhibiting the SMC-specific gene expression and increasing the rate of proliferation and migration. The molecular mechanism for these pleiotropic effects of PDGFs has not been fully described. Here, we identify the microRNA-221 (miR-221), a small noncoding RNA, as a modulator of the phenotypic change of vSMCs in response to PDGF signaling. We demonstrate that miR-221 is transcriptionally induced upon PDGF treatment in primary vSMCs, leading to down-regulation of the targets c-Kit and p27Kip1. Down-regulation of p27Kip1 by miR-221 is critical for PDGF-mediated induction of cell proliferation. Additionally, decreased c-Kit causes inhibition of SMC-specific contractile gene transcription by reducing the expression of Myocardin (Myocd), a potent SMC-specific nuclear coactivator. Our study demonstrates that PDGF signaling, by modulating the expression of miR-221, regulates two critical determinants of the vSMC phenotype; they are SMC gene expression and cell proliferation.

The term 'platelet-derived growth factor' (PDGF) refers to a family of disulphide-bonded dimeric isoforms that are important for growth, survival and function in several types of connective tissue cell. So far, three different PDGF chains have been identified - the classical PDGF-A and PDGF-B and the recently identified PDGF-C. PDGF isoforms (PDGF-AA, AB, BB and CC) exert their cellular effects by differential binding to two receptor tyrosine kinases. The PDGF alpha-receptor (PDGFR-alpha) binds to all three PDGF chains, whereas the beta-receptor (PDGFR-beta) binds only to PDGF-B. Gene-targeting studies using mice have shown that the genes for PDGF-A and PDGF-B, as well as the two PDGFR genes, are essential for normal development. Furthermore, overexpression of PDGFs is linked to different pathological conditions, including malignancies, atherosclerosis and fibroproliferative diseases. Here we have identify and characterize a fourth member of the PDGF family, PDGF-D. PDGF-D has a two-domain structure similar to PDGF-C and is secreted as a disulphide-linked homodimer, PDGF-DD. Upon limited proteolysis, PDGF-DD is activated and becomes a specific agonistic ligand for PDGFR-beta. PDGF-DD is the first known PDGFR-beta-specific ligand, and its unique receptor specificity indicates that it may be important for development and pathophysiology in several organs.