The presence of epidermal growth factor receptors in cultured human adipocyte precursors.

The characteristics of 125I-epidermal growth factor urogastrone (125I-EGF) binding to human omental adipocyte precursors over a period of early differentiation in culture, is reported. The results show the presence of cell surface EGF receptor sites (38,000 per cell) that bind 125I-EGF with a high affinity (Ka = 2.7 X 10(9) l/mol). Their presence is not appreciably altered during a 28-day growth period in culture. The existence of such receptors suggests the possibility that growth factors might intervene in the regulatory processes involved in adipose tissue development.