GROWTH-INHIBITION AND CHANGE IN MORPHOLOGY AND MOTILITY OF SCLC CELL-LINES BY HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR SCATTER FACTOR

Expression of the c-met proto-oncogene is common iii small cell lung c ancer (SCLC) cell lines. The product of this proto-oncogene is the rec eptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor (SF) and hepatopoietin A. We examined the effect of HGF/SF on 8 SCLC cell lines of which six expressed c-Met and 2 control cell lines did n ot. The effect was monitored by growth curves, in vitro migration in B oyden chambers. and by examination of morphology. Three cell lines res ponded in one or more of the following ways: Growth inhibition, morpho logical alterations. and increased migration in Boyden chambers. We co nclude that functional c-Met receptors are frequently expressed in SCL C and may contribute to the behaviour of this tumour type.