A novel effect of EGF on mRNA stability

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor gene is stimulated by EGF and the phorbol ester, 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). PMA elevates EGF receptor mRNA levels in human KB epidermoid carcinoma cells, but does not significantly affect the half-life of this mRNA when its decay is examined after the addition of actinomycin D. In contrast, EGF greatly prolongs the half-life of EGF receptor mRNA suggesting a possible mechanism for the stimulatory effect of EGF on EGF receptor mRNA levels. EGF also stabilizes beta-tubulin and beta-actin mRNAs but has very little effect on the degradation of total mRNA.