Identification and characterization of an inhibitory fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) molecule, up-regulated in an Apert Syndrome mouse model.

AS (Apert syndrome) is a congenital disease composed of skeletal, visceral and neural abnormalities, caused by dominant-acting mutations in FGFR2 [FGF (fibroblast growth factor) receptor 2]. Multiple FGFR2 splice variants are generated through alternative splicing, including PTC (premature termination codon)-containing transcripts that are normally eliminated via the NMD (nonsense-mediated decay) pathway. We have discovered that a soluble truncated FGFR2 molecule encoded by a PTC-containing transcript is up-regulated and persists in tissues of an AS mouse model. We have termed this IIIa-TM as it arises from aberrant splicing of FGFR2 exon 7 (IIIa) into exon 10 [TM (transmembrane domain)]. IIIa-TM is glycosylated and can modulate the binding of FGF1 to FGFR2 molecules in BIAcore-binding assays. We also show that IIIa-TM can negatively regulate FGF signalling in vitro and in vivo. AS phenotypes are thought to result from gain-of-FGFR2 signalling, but our findings suggest that IIIa-TM can contribute to these through a loss-of-FGFR2 function mechanism. Moreover, our findings raise the interesting possibility that FGFR2 signalling may be a regulator of the NMD pathway.

Heparin derivatives as inhibitors of BACE-1, the Alzheimer's beta-secretase, with reduced activity against factor Xa and other proteases.

Heparan sulfate (HS) regulates processing of the amyloid precursor protein by the Alzheimer's beta-secretase (BACE-1). An HS analogue, porcine intestinal mucosal heparin, was systematically modified at the principal positions of O-sulfation and N-sulfation/acetylation and tested for BACE-1 inhibitory and anti factor Xa activities. The derivative with the highest anti-BACE-1 to anti-Xa activity ratio contained N-acetyl and 2-O- and 6-O-sulfates and also exhibited attenuated activities against cathepsin-D and renin, two other structurally related aspartyl proteases.

The role of heparan sulfate in the generation of Abeta.

Alzheimer's disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder for which there are currently few treatments and no cure. Heparan sulfate, a heterogeneously sulfated glycosaminoglycan, has been identified as the first naturally occurring inhibitor of beta secretase, the rate-limiting step in the formation of Abeta, the peptide core of the amyloid plaques that cause Alzheimer's disease. Though heparan sulfate has frequently been implicated in the formation of fibrils, only fairly recently has its role as an inhibitor of beta secretase been recognized. This inhibitory activity is dependent on the structure and size of the heparan sulfate chain, with emphasis placed on the position of the sulfates. Heparan sulfate directly binds to beta secretase and causes a closed configuration of the catalytic site. Regulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) beta secretase cleavage could occur at a number of cellular locations, including the Golgi complex, endosomal system and cell surface. Heparan sulfate also binds to APP and may sequester it away from beta secretase. These findings have led to the examination of heparan sulfate analogues, such as beta-secretase inhibitors, as a potential therapeutic approach to treat Alzheimer's disease.

FGFs, their receptors, and human limb malformations: clinical and molecular correlations.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) comprise a family of 22 distinct proteins with pleiotropic signaling functions in development and homeostasis. These functions are mediated principally by four fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs), members of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, with heparin glycosaminoglycan as an important cofactor. Developmental studies in chick and mouse highlight the critical role of FGF-receptor signaling in multiple phases of limb development, including the positioning of the limb buds, the maintenance of limb bud outgrowth, the detailed patterning of the limb elements, and the growth of the long bones. Corroborating these important roles, mutations of two members of the FGFR family (FGFR1 and FGFR2) are associated with human disorders of limb patterning; in addition, mutations of FGFR3 and FGF23 affect growth of the limb bones. Analysis of FGFR2 mutations in particular reveals a complex pattern of genotype/phenotype correlation, which will be reviewed in detail. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the more severe patterning abnormalities are mediated by illegitimate paracrine signaling in the mesoderm, mediated by FGF10 or by a related FGF, and this is beginning to gain some experimental support. A further test of this hypothesis is provided by a unique family segregating two FGFR2 mutations in cis (S252L; A315S), in which severe syndactyly occurs in the absence of the craniosynostosis that typically accompanies FGFR2 mutations.

Attachment of glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides to thiol-derivatised gold surfaces.

Glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides have been attached to thiol-derivatised gold surfaces, via the formation of mercury-sugar adducts at the non-reducing end, representing a new method of generating versatile glycoconjugates incorporating this class of biologically and medically important carbohydrate.

Interactions of multiple heparin binding growth factors with neuropilin-1 and potentiation of the activity of fibroblast growth factor-2.

The hypothesis that neuropilin-1 (Npn-1) may interact with heparin-binding proteins other than vascular endothelial growth factor has been tested using an optical biosensor-based binding assay. The results show that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 1, 2, 4, and 7, FGF receptor 1, hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), FGF-binding protein, normal protease sensitive form of prion protein, antithrombin III, and Npn-1 itself are all able to interact with Npn-1 immobilized on the sensor surface. FGF-2, FGF-4, and HGF/SF are also shown to interact with Npn-1 in a solution assay. Moreover, these protein-protein interactions are dependent on the ionic strength of the medium and are inhibited by heparin, and the kinetics of binding of FGF-2, FGF-4 and HGF/SF to Npn-1 are characterized by fast association rate constants (270,000-1,600,000 m(-1) s(-1)). These results suggest that Npn-1 possesses a "heparin" mimetic site that is able to interact at least in part through ionic bonding with the heparin binding site on many of the proteins studied. Npn-1 was also found to potentiate the growth stimulatory activity of FGF-2 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, indicating that Npn-1 may not just bind but also regulate the activity of heparin-binding proteins.