IDENTIFICATION OF A MEMBRANE-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR FOR TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR TYPE-E

We have identified the receptor for epithelial type transforming growt h factor (TGFe). TGFe, a member of the epithelin/granulin family of pr oteins, is present primarily in tissues of epithelial origin. It is a powerful mitogen for epithelial and fibroblastic cells. TGFe, iodinate d using an immobilized glucose oxidase-lactoperoxidase method, was che mically crosslinked to receptors on membranes isolated from SW-13 adre nal carcinoma cells by the crosslinker disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). The receptor appears to be a protein which migrates at an apparent mol ecular weight of approximately 170-175 kDa under reducing and nonreduc ing conditions in SDS-polyacrylamide gels.