K-sam, an amplified gene in stomach cancer, is a member of the heparin-binding growth factor receptor genes

Differential splicing in the extracellular region of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 generates receptor variants with different ligand-binding specificities

We have cloned a genomic region of the murine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene that includes three alternative exons for the third immunoglobulinlike domain in the extracellular region of the receptor. The mRNA of one of these splice variants encodes a secreted receptor that lacks transmembrane and cytoplasmic sequences as well as a portion of the third immunoglobulinlike domain. Highest levels of mRNA encoding this variant were found in brain, skeletal muscle, and skin. We expressed this form of FGFR1 in CHO cells and showed that the recombinant secreted protein binds acidic FGF. We also discovered a novel alternative exon in the third immunoglobulinlike domain that encodes part of a transmembrane FGFR1 mRNA. This exon is highly homologous to the corresponding region of the keratinocyte growth factor receptor. Transcripts including this exon were present at highest levels in the skin. We cloned an FGFR1 cDNA which includes this exon and expressed this receptor variant in L6 rat skeletal muscle myoblasts. The new receptor variant had a 50-fold-lower affinity for basic FGF than does the published FGFR1 variant, whereas both forms of receptor bound acidic FGF with high affinity. These results show that the third immunoglobulinlike domain plays an important role in determining the binding specificities for different FGFs. Our data provide the first evidence that differential splicing in the extracellular region of a receptor gene generates receptor variants with different ligand-binding specificities.

Localization of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 gene to chromosome region 5q33-qter

Our polymerase chain reaction cloning of novel tyrosine kinases expressed in the K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells has revealed a novel fibroblast growth factor receptor, FGFR4. We have here mapped the FGFR4 gene by analysis of somatic cell hybrids and in situ hybridization to the 5q33-qter chromosomal region. This finding is of interest in that the FGFR4 gene is expressed in several leukemia cell lines and the 5q33-qter region is involved in nonrandom chromosomal translocations in acute myelogenous leukemias and Ki-I lymphomas.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors by embryonal carcinoma cells and early mouse embryos

We have previously shown that differentiation of embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells leads to both increased binding of FGF (fibroblast growth factor) and suppression of k-FGF expression. In the current study, we examined the expression of FGF receptors by EC cells, EC-derived differentiated cells and early mammalian embryos using the technique of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We determined that both mouse, F9, and human, NT2/D1, EC cells as well as their differentiated counterparts express transcripts for two forms of FGF receptors, bek (bacterially expressed kinase) and flg (fms-like gene). In addition, we determined that mouse blastocysts express flg transcripts. The presence of FGF receptor transcripts in early embryos and the previous finding of FGF-related activity in medium conditioned by mouse blastocysts argue that the FGF family plays important roles during early mammalian development.

Determination of ligand-binding specificity by alternative splicing: two distinct growth factor receptors encoded by a single gene

Expression cDNA cloning and structural analysis of the human keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) revealed identity with one of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors encoded by the bek gene (FGFR-2), except for a divergent stretch of 49 amino acids in their extracellular domains. Binding assays demonstrated that the KGFR was a high-affinity receptor for both KGF and acidic FGF, while FGFR-2 showed high affinity for basic and acidic FGF but no detectable binding by KGF. Genomic analysis of the bek gene revealed two alternative exons responsible for the region of divergence between the two receptors. The KGFR transcript was specific to epithelial cells, and it appeared to be differentially regulated with respect to the alternative FGFR-2 transcript. Thus, two growth factor receptors with different ligand-binding specificities and expression patterns are encoded by alternative transcripts of the same gene.

Differential splicing in the extracellular region of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 generates receptor variants with different ligand-binding specificities

We have cloned a genomic region of the murine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene that includes three alternative exons for the third immunoglobulinlike domain in the extracellular region of the receptor. The mRNA of one of these splice variants encodes a secreted receptor that lacks transmembrane and cytoplasmic sequences as well as a portion of the third immunoglobulinlike domain. Highest levels of mRNA encoding this variant were found in brain, skeletal muscle, and skin. We expressed this form of FGFR1 in CHO cells and showed that the recombinant secreted protein binds acidic FGF. We also discovered a novel alternative exon in the third immunoglobulinlike domain that encodes part of a transmembrane FGFR1 mRNA. This exon is highly homologous to the corresponding region of the keratinocyte growth factor receptor. Transcripts including this exon were present at highest levels in the skin. We cloned an FGFR1 cDNA which includes this exon and expressed this receptor variant in L6 rat skeletal muscle myoblasts. The new receptor variant had a 50-fold-lower affinity for basic FGF than does the published FGFR1 variant, whereas both forms of receptor bound acidic FGF with high affinity. These results show that the third immunoglobulinlike domain plays an important role in determining the binding specificities for different FGFs. Our data provide the first evidence that differential splicing in the extracellular region of a receptor gene generates receptor variants with different ligand-binding specificities.

Two additional protein-tyrosine kinases expressed in human lung: fourth member of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family and an intracellular protein-tyrosine kinase

The expression of protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs; ATP:protein-tyrosine O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.112) was studied in normal human lung and various tumors by PCR followed by molecular cloning and sequence analysis. Six known PTKs (YES, FGR, LYN, HCK, PDGFB-R, and CSF1-R), as well as two additional members of this enzyme family, were detected in lung. One of the newly discovered sequences appears to represent a group of cytosolic PTKs. The cDNA sequence of the second unknown PTK revealed that it is a fourth member of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family. It was therefore called TKF (tyrosine kinase related to fibroblast growth factor receptor). Among a wide variety of cells and tissues tested, including human lymphocytes and macrophages, TKF was only found expressed in lung. Apart from normal lung, TKF expression could be demonstrated in some tumors of lung origin, but also in malignancies not derived from lung tissues. As fibroblast growth factors are generally involved in a variety of functions such as mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and wound healing, the specific expression of a receptor-related gene in lung only may point to yet another special function of this group of proteins.

Growth factors and cancer

Signaling pathways that mediate the normal functions of growth factors are commonly subverted in cancer. Oncogenes identified by a variety of approaches have been shown to function at critical steps in mitogenic signaling. Progression through the cell cycle requires the coordinated actions of members of two complementary classes of growth factors, and oncogenes appear to replace the actions of one set of these growth factors. Growth factors can also influence normal cell differentiation, and constitutive activation of growth-promoting pathways in cancer cells can modulate the cell phenotype as well. Paracrine actions of growth factors and cytokines may also influence the stepwise series of genetic events that lead to malignancy. New approaches for cancer therapy are being developed that intervene at various steps in growth factor signaling pathways.

An analysis of vertebrate mRNA sequences: intimations of translational control

Five structural features in mRNAs have been found to contribute to the fidelity and efficiency of initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Scrutiny of vertebrate cDNA sequences in light of these criteria reveals a set of transcripts--encoding oncoproteins, growth factors, transcription factors, and other regulatory proteins--that seem designed to be translated poorly. Thus, throttling at the level of translation may be a critical component of gene regulation in vertebrates. An alternative interpretation is that some (perhaps many) cDNAs with encumbered 5' noncoding sequences represent mRNA precursors, which would imply extensive regulation at a posttranscriptional step that precedes translation.

A tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxy-terminal peptide of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (Flg) is a binding site for the SH2 domain of phospholipase C-gamma 1

Phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) is a substrate of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR; encoded by the flg gene) and other receptors with tyrosine kinase activity. It has been demonstrated that the src homology region 2 (SH2 domain) of PLC-gamma and of other signalling molecules such as GTPase-activating protein and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-associated p85 direct their binding toward tyrosine-autophosphorylated regions of the epidermal growth factor or platelet-derived growth factor receptor. In this report, we describe the identification of Tyr-766 as an autophosphorylation site of flg-encoded FGFR by direct sequencing of a tyrosine-phosphorylated tryptic peptide isolated from the cytoplasmic domain of FGFR expressed in Escherichia coli. The same phosphopeptide was found in wild-type FGFR phosphorylated either in vitro or in living cells. Like other growth factor receptors, tyrosine-phosphorylated wild-type FGFR or its cytoplasmic domain becomes associated with intact PLC-gamma or with a fusion protein containing the SH2 domain of PLC-gamma. To delineate the site of association, we have examined the capacity of a 28-amino-acid tryptic peptide containing phosphorylated Tyr-766 to bind to various constructs containing SH2 and other domains of PLC-gamma. It is demonstrated that the tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide binds specifically to the SH2 domain but not to the SH3 domain or other regions of PLC-gamma. Hence, Tyr-766 and its flanking sequences represent a major binding site in FGFR for PLC-gamma. Alignment of the amino acid sequences surrounding Tyr-766 with corresponding regions of other FGFRs revealed conserved tyrosine residues in all known members of the FGFR family. We propose that homologous tyrosine-phosphorylated regions in other FGFRs also function as binding sites for PLC-gamma and therefore are involved in coupling to phosphatidylinositol breakdown.

A tyrosine-phosphorylated carboxy-terminal peptide of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (Flg) is a binding site for the SH2 domain of phospholipase C-gamma 1

Phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) is a substrate of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR; encoded by the flg gene) and other receptors with tyrosine kinase activity. It has been demonstrated that the src homology region 2 (SH2 domain) of PLC-gamma and of other signalling molecules such as GTPase-activating protein and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-associated p85 direct their binding toward tyrosine-autophosphorylated regions of the epidermal growth factor or platelet-derived growth factor receptor. In this report, we describe the identification of Tyr-766 as an autophosphorylation site of flg-encoded FGFR by direct sequencing of a tyrosine-phosphorylated tryptic peptide isolated from the cytoplasmic domain of FGFR expressed in Escherichia coli. The same phosphopeptide was found in wild-type FGFR phosphorylated either in vitro or in living cells. Like other growth factor receptors, tyrosine-phosphorylated wild-type FGFR or its cytoplasmic domain becomes associated with intact PLC-gamma or with a fusion protein containing the SH2 domain of PLC-gamma. To delineate the site of association, we have examined the capacity of a 28-amino-acid tryptic peptide containing phosphorylated Tyr-766 to bind to various constructs containing SH2 and other domains of PLC-gamma. It is demonstrated that the tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide binds specifically to the SH2 domain but not to the SH3 domain or other regions of PLC-gamma. Hence, Tyr-766 and its flanking sequences represent a major binding site in FGFR for PLC-gamma. Alignment of the amino acid sequences surrounding Tyr-766 with corresponding regions of other FGFRs revealed conserved tyrosine residues in all known members of the FGFR family. We propose that homologous tyrosine-phosphorylated regions in other FGFRs also function as binding sites for PLC-gamma and therefore are involved in coupling to phosphatidylinositol breakdown.

The human fibroblast growth factor receptor genes: a common structural arrangement underlies the mechanisms for generating receptor forms that differ in their third immunoglobulin domain

To determine the mechanisms by which multiple forms of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors are generated, we have mapped the arrangement of exons and introns in the human FGF receptor 1 (FGFR 1) gene (flg). We found three alternative exons encoding a portion of the third immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain of the receptor. One of these alternatives encodes a sequence that is part of a secreted form of FGFR 1. The other two encode sequences that are likely part of transmembrane forms of FGFR 1. One of these forms has not been previously reported in published cDNAs. Also, we have determined the structural organization of a portion of the human FGFR 2 gene (bek) and found a similar arrangement of alternative exons for the third Ig-like domain. The arrangement of these genes suggests that there are conserved mechanisms governing the expression of secreted FGF receptors as well as the expression of at least two distinct membrane-spanning forms of the FGF receptors. The diverse forms appear to be generated by alternative splicing of mRNA and selective use of polyadenylation signals.

The human fibroblast growth factor receptor genes: a common structural arrangement underlies the mechanisms for generating receptor forms that differ in their third immunoglobulin domain

To determine the mechanisms by which multiple forms of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors are generated, we have mapped the arrangement of exons and introns in the human FGF receptor 1 (FGFR 1) gene (flg). We found three alternative exons encoding a portion of the third immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain of the receptor. One of these alternatives encodes a sequence that is part of a secreted form of FGFR 1. The other two encode sequences that are likely part of transmembrane forms of FGFR 1. One of these forms has not been previously reported in published cDNAs. Also, we have determined the structural organization of a portion of the human FGFR 2 gene (bek) and found a similar arrangement of alternative exons for the third Ig-like domain. The arrangement of these genes suggests that there are conserved mechanisms governing the expression of secreted FGF receptors as well as the expression of at least two distinct membrane-spanning forms of the FGF receptors. The diverse forms appear to be generated by alternative splicing of mRNA and selective use of polyadenylation signals.

c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene expression and its relationship to survival in gastric carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study on archival material

The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene encodes a growth factor receptor which is over-expressed in a variety of human adenocarcinomas. Recent reports suggest that it may be of value in arriving at prognosis in breast and ovarian cancer. In this study, c-erbB-2 expression was investigated in 93 routinely processed cases of gastric carcinoma, using an immunohistochemical technique. c-erbB-2 membrane immunoreactivity was observed in 11% (10/93) of tumours, all of which were of the well differentiated intestinal type (p less than 0.01). Overall, patients with tumours expressing this proto-oncogene had a significantly improved prognosis (p less than 0.05). Within the group of intestinal-type tumours, those that were c-erbB-2-positive formed a distinct sub-population which had a better prognosis (p less than 0.02), suggesting possible differences in aetiology.

Growth factors and tyrosine protein kinases in normal and malignant melanocytes

Melanomas are highly variable with respect to aberrant gene expression and chromosomal lesions but share a common characteristic of an acquired independence from environmental growth factors that are needed for proliferation of normal melanocytes. Receptors with tyrosine kinase activity play a critical role in normal melanocyte proliferation and in the uncontrolled growth of melanomas. Normal human melanocytes depend on exogenous peptide growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), or mast cell growth factor (MGF), all of which stimulate receptors with tyrosine kinase activity. In contrast, human melanoma cells from primary nodular and metastatic lesions grow autonomously partially because of inappropriate production of bFGF and continuous activation of the bFGF-receptor kinase. Animal models also provide evidence for the importance of receptor-tyrosine kinases in normal melanocyte proliferation and in malignant transformation. In the mouse, genes residing in three loci in which inactivation mutations lead to piebaldism, the dominant spotting (W), patch (Ph), and Sl encode, respectively, the receptor-kinases c-kit and platelet derived growth factor receptor, and the ligand for c-kit: MGF. In vivo transformation of mouse melanocytes to melanoma, due to constitutive expression of a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, the oncogene ret, was recently demonstrated in transgenic mice. Studies on a fish model, Xiphophorus, in which melanoma is inherited, showed that the dominant tumor inducing gene, Tu, encodes an EGF-receptor related tyrosine kinase which is expressed only in melanomas and not in normal tissues. Taken together, the results suggest that the uncontrolled growth of melanomas is due, in large part, to constitutive activation of receptors with tyrosine kinase activity.

Assignment by in situ hybridization of a fibroblast growth factor receptor gene to human chromosome band 10q26

A 2.3-kb cDNA probe for the human bek fibroblast growth factor receptor was used to determine the chromosomal localization of the corresponding gene by in situ hybridization. The results show that this gene, a form of which is amplified in some poorly differentiated stomach cancers, is localized on chromosome region 10q26. The two previously identified fibroblast growth factor receptor genes are thus not on the same chromosome, as the related flg ("fms-like gene") fibroblast growth factor receptor gene has previously been mapped to human chromosome region 8p12.

The Drosophila FGF-R homolog is expressed in the embryonic tracheal system and appears to be required for directed tracheal cell extension

The Drosophila homolog of the vertebrate fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF-R) was isolated by low-stringency hybridization. In contrast to the diversity of this subclass of receptor tyrosine kinases in vertebrates, the Drosophila genome appears to encode only a single homolog. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrates that the Drosophila FGF-R homolog (DFGF-R) protein has a conserved sequence, size, and organization. The extracellular region encodes three immunoglobulin-like domains, and the cytoplasmic kinase domain exhibits a high degree of similarity to the vertebrate FGF-Rs with the typical split kinase and comparably sized juxtamembrane and carboxy-terminal regions. The DFGF-R was mapped to position 70C on the third chromosome, and two overlapping chromosomal deficiencies that remove the gene were identified. Developmental Northern blots show that the gene has a single transcript of 4.3 kb and is expressed at all stages of development. Localization of the transcript and protein in embryos has shown that the gene is predominantly expressed in a restricted set of tissues: the developing tracheal system and the delaminating midline glial and neural cells. In embryos homozygous for a deletion of several genes including the DFGF-R locus, the initial formation of the tracheal pits is not affected. However, the extension of tracheal cell processes leading to the formation of the elaborate tree structure is blocked. The DFGF-R protein may thus participate in receiving spatial cues that guide tracheal cell outgrowth.

A six-amino acid deletion in basic fibroblast growth factor dissociates its mitogenic activity from its plasminogen activator-inducing capacity

A recombinant deletion mutant of the 155-amino acid form of human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), lacking amino acid residues 27-32 (Lys-Asp-Pro-Lys-Arg-Leu), was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. When maintained in the presence of an equimolar concentration of soluble heparin, the bFGF mutant (M1-bFGF) is as potent as bFGF in stimulating cell proliferation in normal and transformed fetal bovine aortic endothelial cells, in adult bovine aortic endothelial cells, and in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. However, under the same experimental conditions, M1-bFGF is at least 100 times less efficient than bFGF in stimulating plasminogen activator (PA) production in endothelial cells, as assayed by chromogenic PA assay, SDS/PAGE zymography, and Northern blot analysis of urokinase-type PA mRNA. In the presence of heparin, M1-bFGF binds to bFGF plasma membrane receptors present on endothelial cells in a manner undistinguishable from bFGF. It also induces the same tyrosine phosphorylation pattern when added to NIH 3T3 cells. The data suggest that the PA-inducing activity of bFGF may depend upon a functional domain that differs from those involved in the mitogenic activity of the growth factor and that the binding of bFGF to its plasma membrane receptor may not be sufficient to induce urokinase-type PA production in endothelial cells.

Isolation of an additional member of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family, FGFR-3

The fibroblast growth factors are a family of polypeptide growth factors involved in a variety of activities including mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and wound healing. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have previously been identified in chicken, mouse, and human and have been shown to contain an extracellular domain with either two or three immunoglobulin-like domains, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain. We have isolated a human cDNA for another tyrosine kinase receptor that is highly homologous to the previously described FGFR. Expression of this receptor cDNA in COS cells directs the expression of a 125-kDa glycoprotein. We demonstrate that this cDNA encodes a biologically active receptor by showing that human acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors activate this receptor as measured by 45Ca2+ efflux assays. These data establish the existence of an additional member of the FGFR family that we have named FGFR-3.

Expression cDNA cloning of the KGF receptor by creation of a transforming autocrine loop

An expression cloning strategy was devised to isolate the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) receptor complementary DNA. NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, which secrete this epithelial cell-specific mitogen, were transfected with a keratinocyte expression complementary DNA library. Among several transformed foci identified, one demonstrated the acquisition of specific high-affinity KGF binding sites. The pattern of binding competition by related fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) indicated that this receptor had high affinity for acidic FGF as well as KGF. The rescued 4.2-kilobase complementary DNA was shown to encode a predicted membrane-spanning tyrosine kinase related to but distinct from the basic FGF receptor. This expression cloning approach may be generally applicable to the isolation of genes that constitute limiting steps in mitogenic signaling pathways.