Construction of a Novel Oncogene Based on Synthetic Sequences Encoding Epidermal Growth Factor

Abstract

The autocrine model postulates that constitutive release of a mitogenic growth factor can lead to uncontrolled proliferation and cell transformation. A synthetic polynucleotide encoding epidermal growth factor conferred a tumorigenic phenotype on cells. These cells were transformed through the action of an autocrine circuit having an extracellular component.