Identification of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) as a high affinity, heparin dependent ligand for FGF receptors 3 and 2 but not for FGF receptors 1 and 4

Growth Factors. 1995;12(3):223-33. doi: 10.3109/08977199509036882.

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are multifunctional, heparin binding polypeptides that share structural similarity, but differ in their target cell specificity and expression pattern. Here we describe the cloning and expression of the mouse homologue of FGF9, and the use of a panel of soluble FGF receptors and genetically engineered cells to study its receptor binding specificity. FGF9 is found to bind with high affinity (kd: 0.25 nM) to FGFR3, for which a specific ligand has not yet been identified. FGF9 can also bind, albeit with a lower affinity, to FGFR2 but does not bind FGFR1 or FGFR4. There is no significant binding to either FGFR3 or FGFR2, expressed either as soluble receptors or in heparin sulfate deficient cells, in the absence of heparin. Moreover, receptor binding of FGF9 requires heparin in a manner specific to the receptor type. In conclusion FGF9 presents a unique case of ligand-receptor specificity and fulfills the criteria as a high affinity, heparin-dependent ligand for FGFR3.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell-Free System
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cricetinae
  • DNA Primers
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • ErbB Receptors / drug effects
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 9
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors*
  • Growth Substances / biosynthesis
  • Growth Substances / isolation & purification
  • Growth Substances / metabolism*
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Kinetics
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / drug effects
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / isolation & purification
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / drug effects
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Fgf9 protein, mouse
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 9
  • Growth Substances
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Heparin
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Fgfr1 protein, mouse
  • Fgfr2 protein, mouse
  • Fgfr3 protein, mouse
  • Fgfr4 protein, mouse
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4