Mollusk-derived growth factor: cloning and developmental expression in the central nervous system and reproductive tract of Aplysia.

We have isolated and characterized an atrial gland cDNA that corrects the previously reported sequence for Aplysia atrial gland granule-specific antigen (AGSA), a glycoprotein of unknown function. We designated the protein mollusk-derived growth factor (MDGF) to distinguish the revised sequence from AGSA and to emphasize its similarity to an insect-derived growth factor (IDGF). We describe MDGF mRNA expression that suggests a possible role during embryonic development and CNS injury repair.