Three receptor genes for plasminogen related growth factors in the genome of the puffer fish Fugu rubripes

Plasminogen related growth factors (PRGFs) and their receptors play major r oles in embryogenesis, tissue regeneration and neoplasia. In order to inves tigate the complexity and evolution of the PRGF receptor family we have clo ned and sequenced three receptors for PRGFs in the teleost fish Fugu rubrip es, a model vertebrate with a compact genome. One of the receptor genes iso lated encodes the orthologue of mammalian MET, whilst the other two may rep resent Fugu rubripes orthologues of RON and SEA. This is the first time thr ee PRGF receptors have been identified in a single species. (C) 1999 Federa tion of European Biochemical Societies.