Epidermal growth factor induced membrane changes in 3T3 cells.

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 33 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 F2alpha or a higher serum concentration, which also initiate cell devision of confluent quiescent 3T3 cells. EGF also reduced Con A-mediated hemadsorption to 3T3, but had no effect on hemadsorption by the EFG 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.