Platelet-derived growth factor : isoform-specific signalling via heterodimeric or homodimeric receptor complexes

• Growth factors are polypeptides that are involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, such as, during the embryonal development, in wound healing, in hematopoiesis, in the immune response, as well as in several adverse reactions including malignancies. Several families of structurally-related growth factors are known; new members of these families continue to be discovered and occasionally new families are found. One of the best characterized growth factor family is the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family. PDGF was originally found to be present in the alpha-granules of platelets and to have growth promoting activity for fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells; subsequent studies have shown that PDGF is synthesized by a large number of different normal as well as transformed cell types, and that it acts not only on connective tissue cells but also on other types of cells [reviewed in 1, 2]. The present review summarizes some recent developments in the elucidation of the structural and functional properties of PDGF and PDGF receptors, the mechanism for PDGF signalling at the cellular level and the possible in vivo effects of PDGF.

Nyckelord

Animals

Cell Division

Humans

Neoplasms/etiology

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/chemistry/*physiology

Protein Conformation

Receptors; Cell Surface/chemistry/*physiology

Receptors; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

Signal Transduction

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)