Solution NMR structure of a human FGF-1 monomer, activated by a hexasaccharide heparin-analogue.
Canales, A., Lozano, R., Lopez-Mendez, B., Angulo, J., Ojeda, R., Nieto, P.M., Martin-Lomas, M., Gimenez-Gallego, G., Jimenez-Barbero, J.(2006) FEBS J 273: 4716-4727
- PubMed: 16995857 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-4658.2006.05474.x
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2ERM - PubMed Abstract: 
The 3D structure of a complex formed by the acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and a specifically designed synthetic heparin hexasaccharide has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. This hexasaccharide can substitute natural heparins in FGF-1 mitogenesis assays, in spite of not inducing any apparent dimerization of the growth factor. The use of this well defined synthetic heparin analogue has allowed us to perform a detailed NMR structural analysis of the heparin-FGF interaction, overcoming the limitations of NMR to deal with the high molecular mass and heterogeneity of the FGF-1 oligomers formed in the presence of natural heparin fragments. Our results confirm that glycosaminoglycans induced FGF-1 dimerization either in a cis or trans disposition with respect to the heparin chain is not an absolute requirement for biological activity.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas,CSIC, Madrid, Spain.