Bost L M, Aotaki-Keen A E, Hjelmeland L M
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis 95616.
Exp Eye Res. 1992 Nov;55(5):727-34. doi: 10.1016/0014-4835(92)90177-t.
Members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gene family have been proposed to play critical roles in the biology of the outer retina. In this study, in vitro cultures of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were surveyed for the expression of FGF gene family members. Northern analysis provided evidence for the expression of the previously reported 7.0 and 3.7 kb basic FGF (bFGF) transcripts and for the 4.0 and 2.1 kb FGF-5 transcripts. Western analysis demonstrated the presence of three bFGF proteins ranging in size from 18 to 26 kDa and three FGF-5 proteins of molecular weights 28.5, 34, and 36 kDa. We were particularly interested in cellular mechanisms which might regulate the steady-state mRNA levels of these genes. It was determined that bFGF message levels decreased with increasing culture density, increased upon serum stimulation and when placed in contact with matrix components found in the extracellular matrix of RPE cells in vivo. In a similar fashion, the steady state mRNA levels for FGF-5 decreased with increasing culture density, increased upon serum stimulation, but appeared to be unaffected by matrix contact.
成纤维细胞生长因子（FGF）基因家族的成员被认为在外层视网膜生物学中发挥关键作用。在本研究中，对人视网膜色素上皮（RPE）细胞的体外培养物进行了FGF基因家族成员表达情况的检测。Northern分析为先前报道的7.0和3.7 kb碱性FGF（bFGF）转录本以及4.0和2.1 kb FGF - 5转录本的表达提供了证据。Western分析表明存在三种大小在18至26 kDa之间的bFGF蛋白以及分子量分别为28.5、34和36 kDa的三种FGF - 5蛋白。我们特别关注可能调节这些基因稳态mRNA水平的细胞机制。已确定bFGF信息水平随培养密度增加而降低，在血清刺激时以及与体内RPE细胞细胞外基质中发现的基质成分接触时会升高。以类似方式，FGF - 5的稳态mRNA水平随培养密度增加而降低，在血清刺激时升高，但似乎不受基质接触的影响。
