Hepatoma derived growth factor is a nuclear targeted mitogen

Hepatoma Derived Growth Factor (HDGF) was originally identified as a secreted mitogen from the human hepatoma cell line Huh-7. Although initially thought to be a cytoplasmic protein, it became clear that HDGF is an unclear targeted protein containing a canonical bipartite nuclear localization sequence. In the developing vasculature HDGF is highly expressed in the nucleus of smooth muscle and endothelial cells. HDGF expression in smooth muscle in particular , declines after birth in larger arteries only to be re-expressed with vascular injury in cells of highly proliferative neointima. In addition, levels of HDGF have recently been shown to be elevated in a number of cancers, suggesting a potential role in cancer development. Because of these roles, HDGF is a potential target for drug design. This review will describe curent knowledge about the biochemical functioning of the protein and identify potential avenues for drug development.