Acidic heparin binding growth factor transiently activates adenylate cyclase activity in human adult arterial smooth muscle cells

Acidic heparin binding growth factor (HBGF-1) is a potent mitogen for human adult arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) in culture. Exposure of quiescent SMC to HBGF-1 resulted in a rapid and transient stimulation of the adenylate cyclase activity. Maximal stimulation (2-fold) was observed at 60 sec after growth factor exposure and there was a concurrent elevation of intracellular cAMP levels. GTP analogue was required indicating that the activation of this enzyme is mediated through G-proteins. The results suggest that part of the signal transduction pathway of HBGF-1 might be mediated by cAMP dependent protein kinase.