Transforming signals resulting from sustained activation of the PDGFbeta receptor in mortal human fibroblasts.

The platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor (PDGFbetaR) plays an important role in proliferation and motility of fibroblasts. We have been investigating the effects of sustained PDGFbetaR activation in mortal human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs), which are typically difficult to transform. We have previously shown that the bovine papillomavirus E5 protein, through its ability to crosslink and constitutively activate the PDGFbetaR, induces morphological transformation, enhanced growth and loss of contact inhibition (focus formation) in HDFs.