Physiological Signaling and Structure of the HGF Receptor MET

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Abstract
The “hepatocyte growth factor” also known as “scatter factor”, is a multifunctional cytokine with the peculiar ability of simultaneously triggering epithelial cell proliferation, movement and survival. The combination of those proprieties results in the induction of an epithelial to mesenchymal transition in target cells, fundamental for embryogenesis but also exploited by tumor cells during metastatization. The hepatocyte growth factor receptor, MET, is a proto-oncogene and a prototypical transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor. Inhere we discuss the MET molecular structure and the hepatocyte growth factor driven physiological signaling which coordinates epithelial proliferation, motility and morphogenesis.
Funding Information
  • Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (IG 13524 and IG 5392)
  • cariplo (2010-0737 grant)
  • Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale (Young Investigators)

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