Epidermal growth factor induced membrane changes in 3T3 cells

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a mitogen for Swiss 3T3 cells. Short incubation periods with physiological concentrations of EGF induced increased binding of Swiss 3T3 cells to Con A‐coated nylon fibers. This effect was not induced in an EGF non‐responsive 3T3 variant, in the transformed murine XC cells or in Swiss SV3T3 cells. The increase in Con A fiber‐binding seems to be specific for EGF, since it was not observed in response to insulin, prostaglandin F2α or a higher serum concentration, which also initiate cell division of confluent quiescent 3T3 cells. EGF also reduced Con A‐mediated hemadsorption to 3T3, but had no effect on hemadsorption by the EGF non‐responsive 3T3 variant. There was no change in the number of Con A‐receptors on 3T3 cells after EGF treatment. Binding to WGA‐coated fibers and WGA‐mediated hemadsorption were not effected by preincubation with EGF.