Expression and localization of HGF mRNA in monkey submandibular gland.

We investigated the characteristics and mRNA expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the adult female monkey submandibular gland using Western blot analysis and the reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) technique, and observed HGF mRNA localization using the in situ RT-PCR technique. HGF was extracted with PBS containing protease inhibitors, and purified partially by heparin affinity chromatography. With Western blot analysis, the HGF fraction showed an immunopositive protein band of 69-kDa corresponding to the alpha-subunit of HGF. The gene expression for HGF was revealed in the monkey submandibular gland using RT-PCR, and the PCR products showed high homology to cDNA for human HGF. Furthermore, the mRNA signal for HGF was localized in the striated and excretory ductal cells. These results unequivocally confirmed both the synthesis and existence of HGF in monkey submandibular glands.