EXPRESSION OF MESSENGER-RNA FOR A SHORT-FORM OF HEPARIN-BINDING EGF-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR

In this paper we report the cloning and characterization of cDNA encod ing a novel, short form of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (SF HB-EGF), and show expression of specific mRNA in various tissues and c ell types. Our data suggest that SF HB-EGF mRNA is a product of altern ative splicing. like normal HB-EGF, SF HB-EGF contains the signal pept ide, the propeptide, the heparin-binding domain and the first two cons ervative disulfide loops of the EGF unit. Instead of the third disulfi de loop, the spacer, the transmembrane and the cytoplasmic domains, SF HB-EGF has a nine amino acid tail. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.