Description
The megakaryocyte potentiating factor belongs to the mesothelin family. This family is comprised of several mammalian pre-pro-megakaryocyte potentiating factor precursor (MPF) or mesothelin proteins. Mesothelin is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked glycoprotein highly expressed in mesothelial cells, mesotheliomas, and ovarian cancer, but the biological function of the protein is not known. Megakaryocyte potentiating factor is highly expressed in mesotheliomas, ovarian cancers, and some squamous cell carcinomas (at protein level). It interacts with MUC16 and potentiates megakaryocyte colony formation in vitro. Megakaryocyte potentiating factor is secreted by several mesothelioma cell lines and is frequently elevated in the blood of patients with mesothelioma. Measurement of this protein may be useful in following the response of mesothelioma to treatment.