Genetic and molecular analysis of EGF-related genes in Caenorhabditis elegans

Neurotrophic actions of a novel molluscan epidermal growth factor

The mammalian epidermal growth factor (EGF) is expressed in the developing and adult CNS, and it has been implicated in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and neurotrophic events. Despite extensive evolutionary conservation of the EGF motif in a range of different types of proteins, secreted EGF homologs with neurotrophic actions have not been reported in invertebrates. In this study, we present a novel member of the family of EGF-like growth factors, an EGF homolog from the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis (L-EGF), and we demonstrate that this protein has neurotrophic activity. Purified L-EGF is a 43-residue peptide and retains the typical structural characteristics of the EGF motif. The L-EGF cDNA reveals a unique precursor organization. In contrast to the multidomain mammalian EGFs, it consists of only two domains, a signal peptide and a single EGF motif. Conspicuously, the L-EGF precursor lacks a transmembrane domain, setting it apart from all other members of the EGF-family. L-EGF mRNA is expressed throughout embryonic development, in the juvenile CNS, but not in the normal adult CNS. However, expression in the adult CNS is upregulated after injury, suggesting a role of L-EGF in repair functions. This notion is supported by the observation that L-EGF evokes neurite outgrowth in specific adult Lymnaea neurons in vitro, which could be inhibited by an EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In conclusion, our findings further substantiate the notion that the EGF family has an early phylogenetic origin, and our data support a neurotrophic role for L-EGF during development and injury repair.

Epidermal growth factor receptor mRNA and protein increase after the four-cell preimplantation stage in murine development

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-Rs) are expressed at increasing levels on mouse preimplantation embryos. Immunofluorescence assays were used to show that unfertilized eggs and 2-cell embryos have a very low level of reactivity to antimouse EGF-R antibodies, but by the 4-cell stage and later the reactivity increases. The synthesis of EGF-R protein was verified at the blastocyst stage by immunoprecipitation of a 170-kDa metabolically labeled protein. The EGF-R protein is expressed on cell plasma membrane surfaces, but after compaction at the 8-cell stage concentrates on the apical cell surfaces. We also find a low level of expression of EGF-R protein on inner cell mass cells; thus, all cell lineages express receptors from the beginning of gestation. The receptor protein synthesized by the 8-cell embryo and later is probably translated from embryonic transcription, since reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicates increasing levels of mRNA starting after the 4-cell stage. However, we also detected maternal mRNA in zygotes and 2-cell embryos. The pervasive nature of EGF-R expression throughout development suggests important roles for these receptors which could include autocrine and paracrine stimulation.

Hair growth induction: roles of growth factors

The hair follicles of eutheria arise during fetal life as a consequence of interactions between the cells and matrices of the epidermis and mesenchyme. In some instances, communication may be mediated by growth factors, receptors, and similar molecules. We have focused on epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor, since both are expressed in skin, where they are presumed to perform regulatory functions. In sheep, EGF receptors are located on skin epithelia. An EGF-like protein was detected by immunochemistry in fetal epidermis but was not associated with the cells of developing wool follicles. During subsequent development the molecule was associated with the sebaceous glands and the outer root sheath. If the ORS may be considered a source of stem cells for the proliferating matrix, EGF may act as a differentiation factor, determining cell fates by cell contact mechanisms similar to those in invertebrates. FGF was localized in the epidermis and basal lamina and in follicle plugs during morphogenesis. At maturity, FGF was found in the ORS and in the region of the basal lamina of the follicle bulb, suggesting a role in bulb proliferation and fiber growth.