Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a protein-coding gene that promotes regeneration of hepatocytes into stem and progenitor cells. HGF imbalance is associated with cancer and growth failure. HGF excretion is crucial for organogenesis, and its expression affects the cell growth cycle. HGF is also connected to angiogenesis and is a target for molecular therapy in cancer treatment.
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a protein-coding gene involved in the regulation of cell growth, homeostasis, and regeneration. The HGF gene is activated by binding to an epithelial-mesenchymal transition factor (MET) receptor. When activated, this gene acts as a growth factor promoting regeneration of hepatocytes into stem and progenitor cells. HGF imbalance is associated with many types of cancer and growth failure.
In terms of genetics, the protein-coding HGF gene is called hepatopoietin A/shedding factor. Previous names include deafness and autosomal recessive 39. The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) is called c-MET. Hepatocyte growth factor stands for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and is often referred to as HGF/SF in scientific literature.
At the cellular level, HGF is a polypeptide excreted by mesenchymal cells that acts as a multifunctional cytokine on cells of epithelial origin. The cellular response to HGF is mediated by the c-MET receptor tyrosine kinase. A disulfide bond between the alpha and beta chains activates HGF, which binds to c-MET and triggers the tyrosine kinase signaling cascade. The end result is the regeneration of hepatocytes into stem cells and progenitor cells.
The ability to act on progenitor cells and stem cells has been shown to promote the development of embryonic organs and the regeneration of adult organs. The role of HGF in paracrine cell growth is also important for tissue regeneration, tumourigenesis and angiogenesis. Proper HGF excretion is crucial for organogenesis of the liver and other organs.
The expression of HGF and MET directly affects the cell growth cycle. If there is an insufficient level of HGF, growth can be stopped. The liver can become small and nearly depleted of parenchymal cells in the absence of HGF. Too much HGF can lead to tumourigenesis, meaning that if too much HGF is present, cancerous tumors can develop.
Connection to epithelial cells gives HGF the ability to promote the expression of another growth factor, vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF). In this way, HGF has an effect on angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is a normal part of the growth and healing process, but it also contributes to tumourigenesis when HGF is inappropriately expressed in cells.
The association of HGF with some types of cancer is evidenced by cases of deranged expression of the HGF gene in cancer patients. The connection between cancer and the c-MET pathway of HGF has become a target for the development of molecular therapy.
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