Epidermal Growth Factor Signaling and Mitogenesis inPlcg1 Null Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Abstract

Gene targeting techniques and early mouse embryos have been used to produce immortalized fibroblasts genetically deficient in phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1, a ubiquitous tyrosine kinase substrate.Plcg1 −/− embryos die at embryonic day 9; however, cells derived from these embryos proliferate as well as cells from Plcg1 +/+ embryos. The null cells do grow to a higher saturation density in serum-containing media, as their capacity to spread out is decreased compared with that of wild-type cells. In terms of epidermal growth factor receptor activation and internalization, or growth factor induction of mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-fos, or DNA synthesis in quiescent cells, PLcg1 −/− cells respond equivalently to PLcg1 +/+ cells. Also, null cells are able to migrate effectively in a wounded monolayer. Therefore, immortalized fibroblasts do not require PLC-γ1 for many responses to growth factors.