Expression and generation of monoclonal antibodies to plasminogen-related growth factors.

Batley, Sarah Jane (1997). Expression and generation of monoclonal antibodies to plasminogen-related growth factors. MPhil thesis The Open University.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000f5eb

Abstract

The plasminogen-related growth factors, HGF/SF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor) and HGF1/MSP (Hepatocyte Growth Factor-like/Macrophage Stimulating Protein) belong to a family of polypeptide growth factors related to the blood protease precursor plasminogen. Both HGF/SF and HGF1/MSP consist of six domains: an N-terminal domain homologous to plasminogen activation peptide, four copies of the kringle domain and a catalytically inactive serine protease domain.

In this study I describe the isolation of cDNAs for plasminogen and HGF1/MSP with the view to express individual domains, domain clusters as well as full length proteins. Next I describe the expression of full length plasminogen in the mouse myeloma cell line NSO and the expression of HGF/SF domains (NK1, NK3, NK4 and SP) in the methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris. Finally I describe the generation of several monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically plasminogen, plasmin and HGF/SF. This work should assist the analysis of the structure and function of plasminogen-related growth factors and their detection in tissues via specific monoclonal antibodies.