CCKB受体诱发的小鼠神经元蛋白质磷酸化的研究

目的：从蛋白质可逆磷酸化修饰的角度初步勾勒出CCK_B型受体介导的胞内信号转导途径。方法:培养的小鼠大脑皮质神经元分为实验组、对照组和受体拮抗剂组，在无磷培养基加入 ［32P］-NaH₂PO₄标记细胞中的磷蛋白后，刺激组给予CCK₈（10^-7 mol/L），对照组加入等量的无磷培养基，受体拮抗剂组在分别加入CCK_A型、CCK_B型受体拮抗剂L364 718、L365 260以及L364 718＋L365 260，浓度均为10^-8 mol/L，孵育10 min后，再加入10^-7 mol/L CCK₈，37 ℃作用60 min，液氮中终止磷酸化反应。裂解细胞提取蛋白质，双向电泳分离，放射自显影7d后，获得磷酸化蛋白的放射自显影双向电泳图谱。采用PDQuest 2D分析软件对图谱进行差异分析，并在Swiss-Prot蛋白质数据库和自建磷蛋白数据库中查询定性。结果:CCK₈作用60 min后，小鼠神经元CCK₈信号转导相关磷酸化蛋白有：多种蛋白激酶、细胞信号分子、生长因子受体、转录因子等。加入L364 718后，神经元中PKCδ、P55G等的磷酸化水平降低，加入L365 260后， PKCα、PKGβ、OGFR、EGFR等的磷酸化水平呈现不同程度的降低，表明皮质神经元中CCK_B受体介导的信号转导更复杂。结论:CCK_A型、GGK_B型受体均可介导CCK₈在神经元的信号转导，但CCK_B型受体可能发挥了更重要的作用，其介导的信号途径可能包括：肌醇磷脂信使系统、cAMP-PKA途径、MAPK途径、JNK途径、PI3K-PKB途径和cGMP-PKG途径。     

ERKs及细胞内游离钙在内皮素-1诱导心肌细胞肥大反应中的作用

目的:研究细胞外信号调节激酶(ERKs)及细胞内游离钙(i)在内皮素-1(ET-1)介导心肌细胞肥大反应中的作用及机制。方法:利用培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞,①以蛋白合成速率、蛋白含量及细胞表面积为心肌肥大反应的指标;②用滤纸法测定ERKs活性;③用Fura-2/AM作为钙荧光指示剂测定心肌[Ca²⁺]i浓度。结果:①ET-1浓度依赖性增加新生大鼠心肌细胞蛋白质含量和心肌细胞表面积、ERKs活性及[Ca²⁺]i浓度,以上作用可被ET_A受体拮抗剂BQ123所完全抑制,被百日咳毒素(PTX)部分抑制,而ET_B受体拮抗剂BQ788则无效;②ERKs激酶特异性抑制剂PD98059可完全抑制ET-1激活ERKs的作用,钙通道拮抗剂硝苯地平可明显抑制ET-1介导的[Ca²⁺]i浓度增加,但二者皆仅部分抑制ET-1介导的心肌细胞肥大反应;③蛋白激酶C(PKC)选择性抑制剂staurosporine并不能明显抑制ET-1介导的ERKs激活,但可抑制ET-1介导的的[Ca²⁺]i浓度增加及心肌细胞肥大反应。结论:ET-1主要通过ET_A受体并经PTX敏感的G-蛋白介导心肌细胞肥大反应,该作用至少涉及两条途径:①通过PKC介导的心肌[Ca²⁺]i浓度增加;②不通过PKC介导的ERKs激活。     

远志皂苷减轻Aβ1-40诱导的AD大鼠脑神经元tau蛋白Ser396位点的过度磷酸化

目的:探讨远志皂苷对β-淀粉样肽_1-40(Aβ_1-40)诱导的阿尔茨海默病(AD)大鼠脑神经元tau蛋白过度磷酸化的影响。方法:大鼠右侧海马CA1区注射Aβ_1-40建立AD模型,并用远志皂苷(18.5 mg/kg、37.0 mg/kg和74.0 mg/kg)对大鼠进行灌胃治疗;免疫组织化学染色法观察大脑神经元中总tau蛋白、p-tau(Ser³⁹⁶)、蛋白激酶A(PKA)和蛋白磷酸酶2A(PP2A)蛋白的表达;蛋白免疫印迹技术检测大脑神经元中总tau蛋白含量、tau蛋白Ser³⁹⁶位点磷酸化以及PKA、PP2A蛋白的表达水平。结果:与对照组相比,Aβ_1-40组大脑神经元中总tau蛋白含量、tau蛋白Ser³⁹⁶位点磷酸化水平和PKA蛋白的表达水平显著升高,而PP2A蛋白的表达水平明显降低。与Aβ_1-40组相比,远志皂苷各治疗组大鼠大脑神经元中总tau蛋白含量、tau蛋白Ser³⁹⁶位点磷酸化水平和PKA蛋白表达水平下降明显,而PP2A蛋白表达水平显著升高。结论:远志皂苷可能是通过下调PKA蛋白表达量,上调PP2A蛋白表达量,减轻AD大鼠脑神经元中tau蛋白Ser³⁹⁶位点的过度磷酸化,使神经细胞免遭Aβ_1-40的毒害。     

GH与EGFR受体后信号交联在GH促进青春期大鼠生长板软骨细胞增殖中的作用

目的: 观察促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)处理后青春期大鼠生长板体外培养的软骨细胞内是否存在生长激素(GH)与表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)之间的信号交联(cross-talk)。方法: 3周龄雌性SD大鼠开始注射GnRHa至7周龄;随后分离培养5-8只大鼠胫骨生长板软骨细胞,在GH作用前分别加入JAK2阻断剂AG490(1 nmol/L、10 nmol/L和100 nmol/L)、EGFR酪氨酸激酶阻断剂AG1478(0.1 nmol/L、1 nmol/L和10 nmol/L)和表皮生长因子(EGF)中和抗体(0.1 mg/L、1 mg/L和10 mg/L);采用四氮甲基唑蓝(MTT)以及免疫组化法测定增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA),观察不同阻断剂对软骨细胞增殖的影响;采用Western blotting检测软骨细胞p-ERK1/2及p-EGFR的表达。结果: GH作用后具有浓度依赖性地促进软骨细胞增殖和增加p-ERK1/2及p-EGFR水平的作用,100 μg/L时作用最为明显。AG490及AG1478几乎能完全抑制GH促进软骨细胞增殖和激活ERK1/2及EGFR的作用。 而EGF中和抗体仅能部分抑制GH的作用。结论: GH通过激活JAK2而激活其下游的ERK通路,实现其直接促细胞增殖效应。GH亦能通过激活EGFR及其信号转导通路促进细胞增殖效应,表明GH通路和EGF通路间存在相互作用。     

Intermedin1-53对大鼠心肌成纤维细胞增殖的影响

目的: 研究intermedin_1-53(IMD_1-53)对醛固酮(ALD)促SD乳鼠心肌成纤维细胞(CFBs)增殖的影响及细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)信号转导途径的作用。方法: 分离培养SD乳鼠CFBs,将细胞分成对照组、不同浓度ALD组、ALD+不同浓度IMD_1-53组,用MTT比色法测定细胞活性。通过Western blotting方法观察IMD_1-53对ALD诱导的p-ERK蛋白表达的影响。结果: (1) IMD_1-53对基础状态下的CFBs增殖无明显抑制作用,但能呈浓度(10^-9~10^-7mol/L)依赖性地抑制ALD刺激CFBs的增殖。(2) IMD_1-53具有浓度(10^-9~10^-7mol/L)依赖性地抑制ALD诱导的p-ERK蛋白表达的作用。结论: IMD_1-53通过ERK信号途径抑制ALD促CFBs增殖的效应。     

慢性心力衰竭大鼠内皮素系统表达的变化

目的:研究慢性心衰大鼠在心衰早期(冠脉结扎10d)和心衰晚期(冠脉结扎70d)的左心室内皮素受体A(ET_AR)和内皮素受体B(ET_BR)及内皮素前体(PreproET₁)的mRNA表达水平,了解心衰时心肌内皮素系统的变化及其与病程的关系。方法:用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测冠脉结扎心衰模型大鼠的左心室ET_A和ET_B受体及PreproET₁的mRNA表达,以放射免疫技术检测血浆中内皮素(ET₁)和心钠素(ANP)的浓度。结果:冠脉结扎10d后,血浆ET₁、ANP的水平和左心室ET_AR、ET_BR、PreproET₁的mRNA表达水平均明显高于假手术组;冠脉结扎70d后,血浆ET₁和ANP的水平显著高于冠脉结扎10d组和假手术组,ET_A受体mRNA表达水平和假手术组相比无显著性差异,而ET_B受体及PreproET₁mRNA表达水平仍明显高于假手术组,但显著低于冠脉结扎10d组。结论:在慢性心衰的不同阶段,左心室内皮素系统的改变参与机体心脏功能的调节,循环ET₁水平的上升在早期主要是由于PreproET₁的mRNA表达上调所致,在后期则主要与下调的内皮素受体水平有关。     

肾上腺髓质素对豚鼠心室肌细胞L-型钙通道的作用及其信号转导机制

目的: 研究肾上腺髓质素( adrenomedullin, ADM)抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞L-型钙通道的信号转导机制。方法: 应用全细胞膜片钳技术,记录应用ADM(1-100 nmol·L^-1)前后L-型钙电流(I_Ca,L),以及分别记录应用ADM特异性受体拮抗剂ADM_22-52(100 nmol·L^-1)+ADM(100 nmol·L^-1)、蛋白激酶A (PKA) 特异性拮抗剂H-89(10 μmol·L^-1) + ADM(100 nmol·L^-1)、蛋白激酶C (PKC) 特异性拮抗剂PKC_19-36(10 μmol·L^-1)+ADM(100 nmol·L^-1)、PKC特异性激动剂PMA(1 μmol·L^-1)前后I_Ca,L。结果: ADM(1-100 nmol·L^-1)浓度依赖性地抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞I_Ca,L,并可被ADM_22-52(100 nmol·L^-1)完全阻断;H-89(10 μmol·L^-1)对ADM抑制I_Ca,L的作用无影响。PKC_19-36(10 μmol·L^-1)可完全阻断ADM 对I_Ca,L的抑制效应,且PMA(1 μmol·L^-1)可模拟ADM 对I_Ca,L的抑制效应。结论: ADM作用于特异性ADM受体可浓度依赖性地抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞I_Ca,L,此作用有可能与PKC激活相关。     

晶体蛋白βB2对眼晶体老化的影响

目的:探讨βB₂水溶性蛋白含量的改变对眼晶体老化的影响。方法:常规饲养不同年龄SD大鼠(出生后1d、8d、2周、8周、8个月及1.5年);提取水溶性晶体蛋白,双向电泳(等电聚焦/SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,IEF/SDS-PAGE)得到大鼠晶体蛋白电泳图形;考马斯亮蓝染色后扫描蛋白图形,分别确认βB₂及晶体内主要伴侣蛋白(αA₂、αB₂),并测定其相对含量。结果:(1)随晶体老化βB₂水溶性成份呈"反常"年龄依赖性升高(r=0.938,P＜0.01)。(2)伴侣蛋白αA₂及αB₂水溶性成份亦呈渐进性升高(r=0.890,P＜0.05;r=0.930,P＜0.01)。(3)βB₂含量的变化趋势与伴侣蛋白αA₂及αB₂密切相关(r=0.949,P＜0.01;r=0.986,P＜0.01)。(4)接近中年期(8周)后,大鼠晶体蛋白明显产生降解或修饰成份(双向电泳出现多个新斑点)。结论:根据结果推论βB₂水溶性成份随老化升高有利于维持晶体蛋白的结构和透光性。     

树鼩血栓性脑缺血中心区及半暗区神经元PAF受体结合特性的研究

目的：观察血栓性局部脑缺血过程中缺血中心区及半暗区血小板活化因子（PAF）受体的消长变化,探讨PAF在脑缺血中心区及半暗区神经元继发性脑损伤中的分子机制。方法：建立光化学诱导树鼩血栓性局部脑缺血模型并提取树鼩脑细胞膜蛋白,用[³H]-PAF放射配体结合试验检测中枢神经细胞膜不同特性的PAF结合位点（受体）。结果：树鼩脑细胞膜上存在两种亲和性不同的PAF受体,即高亲和性和低亲和性受体,其亲和力（kD）分别为(3.61±0.72) nmol/L（kD₁）和17.04±2.41) nmol/L（kD₂）相应的最大结合容量（B_max）分别为(1 457.94±168.01) pmol/g蛋白和(5 017.40±742.16) pmol/g蛋白。脑缺血4、24及72 h中心区、半暗区及对侧区高、低亲和性受体的kD值、B_max值均显著低于假手术组（P<0.01）,中心区及半暗区尤为明显,其中以缺血后24 h的变化最为显著。结论：PAF受体在介导缺血性脑损伤过程中起着重要作用,缺血中心区及半暗区机能代谢的不同与PAF受体亲和特性及最大结合容量改变不同有关,亦是PAF介导继发性脑损伤的重要分子基础。     

大鼠主要水溶性晶体蛋白在老化进程中的时相变化

目的: 研究大鼠老化进程中主要晶体蛋白相对含量的时相变化与晶体老化的关系。方法: 常规饲养不同年龄SD大鼠(出生后1 d、8 d、2周、8周、8个月及1.5年);提取水溶性晶体蛋白,双向电泳(等电聚焦/SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳, IEF/SDS-PAGE)得到大鼠晶体蛋白电泳图形;考马斯亮蓝染色后扫描蛋白图形,分别确认各主要晶体蛋白组分并测定其相对含量百分比组成。 结果:(1)所测各组大鼠18种主要晶体蛋白组分中,7种晶体蛋白相对含量呈渐进性时相改变,但总水溶性晶体蛋白水平未见明显变化。(2)晶体蛋白相对含量时相改变主要有4种形式:升高(βB₄、αB₂、αA₂、βA₁)、降低(β₇、β₈、γ_2,3、γ_5,6)、大致保持稳定(βA₃、βB₅)及无规则性改变。(3)晶体蛋白βB₄ /αA₂比值在大鼠老化进程中呈渐进性升高。结论: 晶体蛋白相对含量的渐进性时相改变反映晶状体老化的程度。     

EGF培养条件下NGF与BDNF对大鼠海马神经干细胞向神经元分化的差异

目的探讨在表皮生长因子(EGF)培养条件下,相同浓度神经生长因子(NGF)与脑源性神经生长因子(BDNF)对成年大鼠海马神经干细胞向神经元分化比例的差异。方法用含碱性成纤维生长因子(bFGF)、EGF、B27的无血清细胞培养技术体外培养成年大鼠海马神经干细胞,单细胞克隆后行Nestin免疫细胞化学染色,诱导分化1周,行GFAP和NSE免疫细胞化学染色;根据培养液中所加营养因子的不同将单细胞克隆传代细胞分为5组培养:EGF组、NGF组、BDNF组、EGF+NGF组、EGF+BDNF组,此5组细胞培养1周,进行NSE免疫细胞化学染色,计数阳性细胞比例后进行统计学分析。结果:单细胞克隆培养后克隆球细胞表达Nestin,诱导分化1周,细胞表达NSE、GFAP;与EGF组、NGF组、BDNF组相比,EGF+NGF组和EGF+BDNF组细胞分化为神经元的比例较高(P<0.05),其中EGF+BDNF组细胞的比例最高。结论在EGF培养条件下,BDNF促进成年大鼠海马神经干细胞向神经元分化的能力高于NGF。     

催产素减轻新生大鼠海马神经元缺氧缺血性损伤

目的:探讨催产素(oxytocin)对新生大鼠缺氧缺血性损伤后海马CA1区神经元的作用及机制。方法:采用氧糖剥夺(OGD)制备体外缺氧缺血模型,取8只7~10日龄新生大鼠的急性分离脑片(6~8片/只)随机分为4组,即对照组、OGD 20 min组、OGD 40 min组和OGD+oxytocin组,进行TO-PRO-3染色实验观察催产素对神经元的作用。另取20只新生大鼠脑片随机分为4组,分别是OGD组、OGD+oxytocin组、OGD+d VOT(催产素受体阻断剂)+oxytocin组和OGD+bicuculline(GABAA受体阻断剂)+oxytocin组,用全细胞膜片钳记录不同药物作用下海马神经元缺氧去极化的出现时间。结果:TO-PRO-3染色结果显示海马CA1区神经元死亡数量随着氧糖剥夺时间延长而增加,催产素能显著减少OGD所致的死亡神经元数目(P0.05)。全细胞膜片钳记录结果显示,催产素可使缺氧去极化时间显著延长;d VOT及bicuculline可以消除这种效应。结论:催产素能减轻新生大鼠海马CA1区神经元缺氧缺血性损伤,其机制可能是通过结合催产素受体,增强抑制性神经传递,从而产生神经保护作用。     

BMP-2和EGF对神经干细胞向神经元分化及Notch信号分子表达的影响

采用BMP-2(bonemorphogeneticprotein2)和EGF(epidemicgrowthfactor)诱导体外培养的神经干细胞分化,通过免疫荧光染色以及细胞计数方法,观察其分化为神经元的情况;用RTPCR和Westernblot检测Notch信号分子Notch1、PS1、RBPJk和HES1的表达水平。结果表明:BMP2组分化为神经元的比例明显高于对照(control,Ctrl)组和EGF组;EGF组分化为神经元的比例与Ctrl组相比无显著差别;与Ctrl组相比,BMP-2组和EGF组中Notch通路4种信号分子的mRNA表达量均无显著差异;PS1蛋白表达量也无明显差异。结果提示,BMP-2对神经干细胞分化为神经元的诱导作用强于EGF和自主分化,其分化为神经元的比例增加与Notch信号分子的表达水平无关。     

Monoclonal antibody (EGR/G49) reactive with the epidermal growth factor receptor of A431 cells recognizes the blood group ALeb and ALey structures

The carbohydrate specificity of the monoclonal antibody EGR/G49, raised against the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor of A431 cells, has been investigated by assessing its interactions with glycoproteins and erythrocytes derived from individuals of known blood group ABH, Lewis and secretor types, and by inhibition of binding assays using structurally defined oligosaccharides. The results indicate that this antibody reacts with the difucosylated blood group structures ALeb and ALey: (formula; see text) This antibody differs from the previously described anti-EGF receptor antibody. TL5, which is directed at the terminal blood group A trisaccharide structure and reacts poorly with the ALeb/Ley structures. Since both antibodies were selected for their reactivities with the receptor for EGF, their specificities provide evidence for the presence of both the mono- and difucosylated blood group A structures on the receptor glycoprotein. These antibodies will be invaluable in the studies of the distribution and the roles of blood group related carbohydrate structures in the organisation and function of the EGF and other receptor systems.     

Cysteinyl leukotrienes synergize with growth factors to induce proliferation of human bronchial fibroblasts

BACKGROUND: Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are potent asthma-related mediators that function through their G protein-coupled receptors, cys-LT receptor type 1 (CysLT1R) and cys-LT receptor type 2 (CysLT2R). OBJECTIVE: Because many G protein-coupled receptors transactivate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) through metalloprotease-mediated ligand shedding, we investigated the effects of cys-LTs on signal transduction and proliferation of bronchial fibroblasts. METHODS: Human bronchial fibroblasts were grown from biopsy specimens of healthy subjects. Mitogenesis was assessed on the basis of tritiated methylthymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Leukotriene (LT) D(4) alone did not increase mitogenesis but dose-dependently increased thymidine incorporation and cell proliferation in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). The enhancement was not prevented by CysLT1R antagonists (MK-571 and montelukast) or by a dual antagonist (BAY u9773), which is consistent with the lack of detectable mRNA for CysLT1R and CysLT2R in bronchial fibroblasts. LTD(4) did not cause EGFR transphosphorylation nor was the synergism blocked by the metalloprotease inhibitor GM6001. The EGFR-selective kinase inhibitor AG1478 suppressed the synergy between LTD(4) and EGF but had no effect on synergistic interactions of LTD(4) with other receptor tyrosine kinase growth factors. The effect of LTD(4) involved a pertussis toxin-sensitive and protein kinase C-mediated intracellular pathway, leading to sustained growth factor-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt). CONCLUSION: Cys-LTs do not transactivate EGFR but have a broader capability to synergize with receptor tyrosine kinase pathways. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study implies a critical role of cys-LTs in airway fibrosis in asthma and other chronic airway diseases, which might not be blocked by therapy with current LT receptor antagonists.     

A novel selective progesterone receptor modulator asoprisnil (J867) down-regulates the expression of EGF, IGF-I, TGFbeta3 and their receptors in cultured uterine leiomyoma cells

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a novel selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) asoprisnil on the expression of growth factors and their receptors and on growth factor-induced proliferation of cultured uterine leiomyoma and matching myometrial cells. METHODS: The expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor (TGFbeta3) was assessed by immunocytochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of phosphorylated EGF receptor (p-EGFR), IGF-I receptor alpha subunit (IGF-IRalpha) and phosphorylated TGFbeta receptor type II (p-TGFbeta RII) was assessed by Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay. RESULTS: Treatment with 10(-7) M asoprisnil decreased EGF, IGF-I and TGFbeta3 mRNA and protein expression as well as p-EGFR, IGF-IRalpha and p-TGFbeta RII protein expression in leiomyoma cells cultured for 72 h. EGF (100 ng/ml), IGF-I (100 ng/ml) and TGFbeta3 (10 ng/ml) increased the number of viable leiomyoma cells cultured for 72 h, whereas the concomitant treatment with 10(-7) M asoprisnil antagonized the growth factor-induced increase in leiomyoma cell proliferation. In cultured myometrial cells, however, asoprisnil affected neither the growth factor and their receptor expression nor the cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: Asoprisnil inhibits the expression of EGF, IGF-I, TGFbeta3 and their receptors in cultured leiomyoma cells without affecting their expressions in myometrial cells.     

Enhanced neurogenesis in the ischemic striatum following EGF-induced expansion of transit-amplifying cells in the subventricular zone

In the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the adult mammalian brain, neural stem cells continually produce transit-amplifying precursors, which generate neuroblasts migrating into the olfactory bulb. Previous studies have suggested that SVZ cells also have the capacity to generate some striatal neurons after cerebral ischemia. The infusion of epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been demonstrated to increase the number of these regenerated neurons. However, which cell types in the SVZ are stimulated to proliferate or differentiate after EGF infusion remains unknown. In this paper, we demonstrated that cerebral ischemia results in an increase in the number of EGF receptor (EGFR)-positive transit-amplifying cells in the SVZ. EGF infusion into the ischemic brain caused the number of transit-amplifying cells to increase and the number of neuroblasts to decrease. On the other hand, after an interval of 6 days after the discontinuation of EGF infusion, a significant increase in the number of neuroblasts was found, both in the striatum and the SVZ. These results suggest that the replacement of neurons in injured striatum can be enhanced by an EGF-induced expansion of transit-amplifying cells in the SVZ.     

The role of maternally derived epidermal growth factor and the epidermal growth factor receptor during organogenesis in the rat embryo

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been implicated in the control of embryonic development, but although the receptor is expressed from an early stage, there is little evidence of embryonic expression of EGF. In order to investigate the role of maternally derived EGF during organogenesis, rat embryos were explanted at d 9.5 and cultured in serum depleted of low molecular weight molecules (retenate) which was then supplemented with EGF. Serum depleted of low molecular weight molecules by prolonged filtration loses its capacity to support normal embryonic development, possibly due to the loss of growth promoting factors. The addition of EGF to retenate significantly improved embryonic development with a maximal effect at 8 ng/ml. The addition of an analogue of EGF, long EGF, to retenate also caused a significant increase in development, although at higher concentrations a decrease in its effect was observed, possibly due to down regulation of the EGF receptor. Therefore, embryos may be able to utilise maternally derived EGF during organogenesis. To test the effects of inhibiting the EGF receptor during organogenesis, d 9.5 embryos were cultured in the presence of tyrphostin 47, a specific EGF receptor inhibitor. Tyrphostin 47 caused a significant dose-dependent decrease in the development of embryos which was also observed when tyrphostin 47 was injected into the vitelline circulation at d 11.5 to bypass the effects of the yolk sac. These findings suggest that the EGF receptor is essential for normal organogenesis and may play a role in the control of proliferation and differentiation. Although EGF is not expressed in the rat embryo at this stage, maternally derived EGF may be the ligand for the embryonic EGF receptor.