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Scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor is essential for liver development

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Abstract

POLYPEPTIDE growth factors are important effectors of cell growth and differentiation in vitro and are thought to be critical for processes such as specification of cell fate, tissue growth and organogenesis in vivo. Scatter factor1–3/hepatocyte growth factor4,5 (SF/HGF) is the prototype of an emerging family of growth factors that resemble in their domain structure and mechanism of activation the blood proteinase plasminogen6,7. The cellular responses of SF/HGF are mediated by the c-Met tyrosine kinase receptor8–10. Here we report that mice lacking SF/HGF fail to complete development and die in utero. The mutation affects the embryonic liver, which is reduced in size and shows extensive loss of parenchymal cells. In addition, development of the placenta, particularly of trophoblast cells, is impaired. Thus, SF/HGF is essential for the development of several epithelial organs.

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Author notes

  1. Volker Brinkmann and Wolfgang Zschiesche: Max-Delbrück Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, Robert-Roessle-Strasse 10, 13122 Berlin, Germany

  2. Melanie Sharpe and Ermanno Gherardi: ICRF Cell Interactions Laboratory, Cambridge University Medical School, MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Delbrück Laboratorium in der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Carl-von Linne-Weg 10, 50829, KÖln, Germany

    Claudia Schmidt, Friedhelm Bladt, Stefanie Goedecke, Volker Brinkmann, Wolfgang Zschiesche, Melanie Sharpe, Ermanno Gherardi & Carmen Birchmeler

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  1. Claudia Schmidt
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  2. Friedhelm Bladt
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  3. Stefanie Goedecke
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  4. Volker Brinkmann
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  5. Wolfgang Zschiesche
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  6. Melanie Sharpe
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  7. Ermanno Gherardi
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  8. Carmen Birchmeler
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Schmidt, C., Bladt, F., Goedecke, S. et al. Scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor is essential for liver development. Nature 373, 699–702 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/373699a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/373699a0

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