A novel gene derived from developing spinal cords, SCDGF, is a unique member of the PDGF/VEGF family

We isolated a novel gene designated spinal cord-derived growth factor (SCDG F). Its expression was increased in chick spinal cords with embryonic devel opment and decreased after hatching. The amino acid sequences of chick and human SCDGFs revealed a putative signal sequence followed by a CUB domain a nd a region homologous to the members of the platelet-derived growth factor /vascular endothelial growth factor family. Furthermore, human SCDGF secret ed from the cells showed a mitogenic activity for 10T1/2 cells in vitro. Th ese results led us to speculate that SCDGF plays an important role in the d evelopment of the spinal cord. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.