Three-dimensional structure of acidic fibroblast growth factor in solution: effects of binding to a heparin functional analog

Targeting tumor micro-environment for design and development of novel anti-angiogenic agents arresting tumor growth

Angiogenesis: a process of generation of new blood vessels has been proved to be necessary for sustained tumor growth and cancer progression. Inhibiting angiogenesis pathway has long been remained a significant hope for the development of novel, effective and target orientated antitumor agents arresting the tumor proliferation and metastasis. The process of neoangiogenesis as a biological process is regulated by several pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, especially vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, hypoxia inducible factor 1 and transforming growth factor. Every endothelial cell destined for vessel formation is equipped with receptors for these angiogenic peptides. Moreover, numerous other angiogenic cytokines such as platelet derived growth factor (PGDF), placenta growth factor (PGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), stem-cell factor (SCF), and interleukins-2, 4, 6 etc. These molecular players performs critical role in regulating the angiogenic switch. Couple of decade's research in molecular aspects of tumor biology has unraveled numerous structural and functional mysteries of these angiogenic peptides. In present article, a detailed update on the functional and structural peculiarities of the various angiogenic peptides is described focusing on structural opportunities made available that has potential to be used to modulate function of these angiogenic peptides in developing therapeutic agents targeting neoplastic angiogenesis. The data may be useful in the mainstream of developing novel anticancer agents targeting tumor angiogenesis. We also discuss major therapeutic agents that are currently used in angiogenesis associated therapies as well as those are subject of active research or are in clinical trials.

Synthesis of multilayered alginate microcapsules for the sustained release of fibroblast growth factor-1

Alginate microcapsules coated with a permselective poly-L-ornithine (PLO) membrane have been investigated for the encapsulation and transplantation of islets as a treatment for type 1 diabetes. The therapeutic potential of this approach could be improved through local stimulation of microvascular networks to meet mass transport demands of the encapsulated cells. Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is a potent angiogenic factor with optimal effect occurring when it is delivered in a sustained manner. In this article, a technique is described for the generation of multilayered alginate microcapsules with an outer alginate layer that can be used for the delivery of FGF-1. The influence of alginate concentration and composition (high mannuronic acid (M) or guluronic acid (G) content) on outer layer size and stability, protein encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics was investigated. The technique results in a stable outer layer of alginate with a mean thickness between 113 and 164 μm, increasing with alginate concentration and G-content. The outer layer was able to encapsulate and release FGF-1 for up to 30 days, with 1.25% of high G alginate displaying the most sustained release. The released FGF-1 retained its biologic activity in the presence of heparin, and the addition of the outer layer did not alter the permselectivity of the PLO coat. This technique could be used to generate encapsulation systems that deliver proteins to stimulate local neovascularization around encapsulated islets.

Molecular level interaction of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor with the antiangiogenic agent, inositol hexaphosphate

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF1) regulates a wide array of important biological phenomena such as angiogenesis, cell differentiation, tumor growth, and neurogenesis. Generally, FGFs are known for their strong affinity for the glycosaminoglycan heparin, as a prerequisite for recognition of a specific tyrosine kinase on the cell surface and are responsible for the cell signal transduction cascade. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a natural antioxidant and is known for its antiangiogenic role, in addition to its ability to control tumor growth. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of IP6 with the acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF1) using various biophysical techniques including isothermal calorimetry, circular dichroism, and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Herein, we have reported the three-dimensional solution structure of the FGF1-IP6 complex. These data show that IP6 binds FGF1 and enhances its thermal stability. In addition, we also demonstrate that IP6 acts as an antagonist to acidic fibroblast growth factor by inhibiting its receptor binding and subsequently decreasing the mitogenic activity. The inhibition likely results in the ability of IP6 to antagonize the angiogenic and mitogenic activity of FGF1.

Gentisic acid, a compound associated with plant defense and a metabolite of aspirin, heads a new class of in vivo fibroblast growth factor inhibitors

Fibroblast growth factors are key proteins in many intercellular signaling networks. They normally remain attached to the extracellular matrix, which confers on them a considerable stability. The unrestrained accumulation of fibroblast growth factors in the extracellular milieu, either due to uncontrolled synthesis or enzymatic release, contributes to the pathology of many diseases. Consequently, the neutralization of improperly mobilized fibroblast growth factors is of clear therapeutic interest. In pursuing described rules to identify potential inhibitors of these proteins, gentisic acid, a plant pest-controlling compound, an aspirin and vegetarian diet common catabolite, and a component of many traditional liquors and herbal remedies, was singled out as a powerful inhibitor of fibroblast growth factors. Gentisic acid was used as a lead to identify additional compounds with better inhibitory characteristics generating a new chemical class of fibroblast growth factor inhibitors that includes the agent responsible for alkaptonuria. Through low and high resolution approaches, using representative members of the fibroblast growth factor family and their cell receptors, it was shown that this class of inhibitors may employ two different mechanisms to interfere with the assembly of the signaling complexes that trigger fibroblast growth factor-driven mitogenesis. In addition, we obtained evidence from in vivo disease models that this group of inhibitors may be of interest to treat cancer and angiogenesis-dependent diseases.

Biophysical Characterization of Structural Properties and Folding of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist

Structural properties and folding of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), a therapeutically important cytokine with a symmetric beta-trefoil topology, are characterized using optical spectroscopy, high-resolution NMR, and size-exclusion chromatography. Spectral contributions of two tryptophan residues, Trp17 and Trp120, present in the wild-type protein, have been determined from mutational analysis. Trp17 dominates the emission spectrum of IL-1ra, while Trp120 is quenched presumably by the nearby cysteine residues in both folded and unfolded states. The same Trp17 gives rise to two characteristic negative peaks in the aromatic CD. Urea denaturation of the wild-type protein is probed by measuring intrinsic and extrinsic (binding of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid) fluorescence, near- and far-UV CD, and 1D and 2D ((1)H-(15)N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC)) NMR. Overall, the data suggest an essentially two-state equilibrium denaturation mechanism with small, but detectable structural changes within the pretransition region. The majority of the (1)H-(15)N HSQC cross-peaks of the folded state show only a limited chemical shift change as a function of the denaturant concentration. However, the amide cross-peak of Leu31 demonstrates a significant urea dependence that can be fitted to a two-state binding model with a dissociation constant of 0.95+/-0.04 M. This interaction has at least a five times higher affinity than reported values for nonspecific urea binding to denatured proteins and peptides, suggesting that the structural context around Leu31 stabilizes the protein-urea interaction. A possible role of denaturant binding in inducing the pretransition changes in IL-1ra is discussed. Urea unfolding of wild-type IL-1ra is sufficiently slow to enable HPLC separation of folded and unfolded states. Quantitative size-exclusion chromatography has provided a hydrodynamic view of the kinetic denaturation process. Thermodynamic stability and unfolding kinetics of IL-1ra resemble those of structurally and evolutionary close IL-1beta, suggesting similarity of their free energy landscapes.

Improved yields of full-length functional human FGF1 can be achieved using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

We have produced human fibroblast growth factor 1 (hFGF1) in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris in order to obtain the large amounts of active protein required for subsequent functional and structural characterization. Four constructs were made to examine both intracellular and secreted expression, with variations in the location of the His6 tag at either end of the peptide. hFGF1 could be produced from all four constructs in shake flasks, but production was optimized by growing only the highest-yielding of these strains, which produced hFGF1 intracellularly, under tightly controlled conditions in a 3 L fermentor. One hundred and eight milligrams of pure protein was achieved per liter culture (corresponding to 0.68 mg of protein per gram of wet cells), the function of which was verified using NIH 3T3 cell cultures. This is a 30-fold improvement over previously reported yields of full-length hFGF1.

Solution NMR structure of a human FGF-1 monomer, activated by a hexasaccharide heparin-analogue

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.

Backbone dynamics of a biologically active human FGF-1 monomer, complexed to a hexasaccharide heparin-analogue, by 15N NMR relaxation methods

The binding site and backbone dynamics of a bioactive complex formed by the acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and a specifically designed heparin hexasaccharide has been investigated by HSQC and relaxation NMR methods. The comparison of the relaxation data for the free and bound states has allowed showing that the complex is monomeric, and still induces mutagenesis, and that the protein backbone presents reduced motion in different timescale in its bound state, except in certain points that are involved in the interaction with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR).

High-level expression and purification of a nonmitogenic form of human acidic fibroblast growth factor in Escherichia coli

To decrease the potential side effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) caused by its broad-spectrum mitogenic activity, a nonmitogenic form of aFGF (nhaFGF), which retained the cardio- and neuroprotective characters of the wild-type aFGF, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The expression level of nhaFGF was up to 25% of the total cellular protein. The expressed nhaFGF was purified by ionic exchange and heparin affinity chromatography from the supernatant of bacteria lysate. The mitogenic activity of the purified nhaFGF was decreased dramatically comparable to that of the wild-type aFGF (haFGF) detected by methylthiazoletetrazolium method. The purified recombinant nhaFGF was sufficiently prepared and sufficient for the following pharmacological study.

Synthesis of the blood circulating C-terminal fragment of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-4 in its native conformation. Crystallization, heparin and IGF binding, and osteogenic activity

Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins play a critical role in a wide variety of important physiological processes. It has been demonstrated that both an N-terminal and a C-terminal fragment of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-4 exist and accumulate in the circulatory system, these fragments accounting for virtually the whole amino acid sequence of the protein. The circulating C-terminal fragment establishes three disulfide bridges, and the binding pattern of these has recently been defined. Here we show that the monodimensional 1H NMR spectrum of the C-terminal fragment is typical of a protein with a relatively close packed tertiary structure. This fragment can be produced in its native conformation in Escherichia coli, without the requirement of further refolding procedures, when synthesis is coupled to its secretion from the cell. The recombinant protein crystallizes with the unit cell parameters of a hexagonal system. Furthermore, it binds strongly to heparin, acquiring a well defined oligomeric structure that interacts with insulin-like growth factors, and promotes bone formation in cultures of murine calvariae.

The activation of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) by glycosaminoglycans: influence of the sulfation pattern on the biological activity of FGF-1

Six synthetic heparin-like oligosaccharides have been used to investigate the effect of the oligosaccharide sulfation pattern on the stimulation of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) induced mitogenesis signaling and the biological significance of FGF-1 trans dimerization in the FGF-1 activation process. It has been found that some molecules with a sulfation pattern that does not contain the internal trisaccharide motif, which has been proposed for high affinity for FGF-1, stimulate FGF-1 more efficiently than those with the structure of the regular region of heparin. In contrast to regular region oligosaccharides, in which the sulfate groups are distributed on both sides of their helical three-dimensional structures, the molecules containing this particular sulfation pattern display the sulfate groups only on one side of the helix. These results and the fact that these oligosaccharides do not promote FGF-1 dimerization according to sedimentation-equilibrium analysis, confirm the importance of negative-charge distribution in the activation process and strongly suggest that FGF dimerization is not a general and absolute requirement for biological activity.

Identification of a binding site on human FGF-2 for fibrinogen

Endothelial cell adhesive interactions are mediated by both fibrinogen and fibrin, and growth is stimulated by fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). We have shown previously that FGF-2 binds specifically and with high affinity to fibrinogen and fibrin and that fibrinogen potentiates the proliferative capacity of FGF-2 and also protects it from proteolytic degradation. To further characterize this interaction we have performed FGF-2 mutagenesis to identify the interactive site. Because FGF-1 has a similar structure to FGF-2 but does not bind to fibrinogen, we used a strategy of cassette and site-directed mutagenesis, exchanging residues from FGF-1 and FGF-2 and correlating structural changes with fibrinogen binding. Two cassette interchange mutants, 2212 and 2211, contained either the third cassette or both the third and fourth cassettes from FGF-1, and neither exhibited any affinity for fibrinogen. Exchange of 5 residues (Phe95, Ser100, Asn102, Arg107, and Arg109) from FGF-2 into the corresponding sites in the third cassette of FGF-1 imparted high-affinity binding with apparent dissociation constants (Kd) of 5.3 nM and 8.6 nM, respectively, compared with 1.3 nM for wild-type FGF-2. We conclude that these 5 residues define a high-affinity binding site in FGF-2 for fibrinogen.

Structurally homologous all beta-barrel proteins adopt different mechanisms of folding

Acidic fibroblast growth factors from human (hFGF-1) and newt (nFGF-1) (Notopthalamus viridescens) are 16-kDa, all beta-sheet proteins with nearly identical three-dimensional structures. Guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)-induced unfolding of hFGF-1 and nFGF-1 monitored by fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism (CD) shows that the FGF-1 isoforms differ significantly in their thermodynamic stabilities. GdnHCl-induced unfolding of nFGF-1 follows a two-state (Native state to Denatured state(s)) mechanism without detectable intermediate(s). By contrast, unfolding of hFGF-1 monitored by fluorescence, far-UV circular dichroism, size-exclusion chromatography, and NMR spectroscopy shows that the unfolding process is noncooperative and proceeds with the accumulation of stable intermediate(s) at 0.96 M GdnHCl. The intermediate (in hFGF-1) populated maximally at 0.96 M GdnHCl has molten globule-like properties and shows strong binding affinity to the hydrophobic dye, 1-Anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS). Refolding kinetics of hFGF-1 and nFGF-1 monitored by stopped-flow fluorescence reveal that hFGF-1 and nFGF-1 adopts different folding mechanisms. The observed differences in the folding/unfolding mechanisms of nFGF-1 and hFGF-1 are proposed to be either due to differential stabilizing effects of the charged denaturant (Gdn(+) Cl(-)) on the intermediate state(s) and/or due to differences in the structural interactions stabilizing the native conformation(s) of the FGF-1 isoforms.

Introduction of a chemical constraint in a short peptide derived from human acidic fibroblast growth factor elicits mitogenic structural determinants

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are regulatory proteins associated with a number of physiological and pathological states. On the basis of data suggesting a functional role for specific regions of human acidic FGF (aFGF), a linear peptide encompassing residues 99-108 (peptide1) and its cyclic analogue (peptide 2) were synthesized and their functional and structural features were investigated. While peptide 1 is inactive on Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts, peptide 2 is mitogenic with ED(50) of approximately 50 microM. Moreover, peptide 1 is not able to inhibit the binding of human aFGF to cellular receptors whereas peptide 2 exhibits significant inhibitory activity. The NMR-derived solution conformers indicated the presence, only in peptide 2, of structural elements that we believe are related to its ability to emulate the biological activity of the native protein. These results suggest that the expression of mitogenic activity in short peptides, besides the presence of specific amino acids, requires the existence of stable structural features. In addition, they indicate that the introduction of chemical restraints in peptides can provide novel possibilities for the development of receptor agonists or antagonists.

Investigation of the structural stability of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor by hydrogen-deuterium exchange

The conformational stability of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-1) is investigated using amide proton exchange and temperature-dependent chemical shifts, monitored by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The change in free energy of unfolding (DeltaG(u)) of hFGF-1 is estimated to be 5.00 +/- 0.09 kcal.mol(-)(1). Amide proton-exchange rates of 74 residues (in hFGF-1) have been unambiguously measured, and the exchange process occurs predominately according to the conditions of the EX2 limit. The exchange rates of the fast-exchanging amide protons exposed to the solvent have been measured using the clean SEA-HSQC technique. The amide proton protection factor and temperature coefficient estimates show reasonably good correlation. Residues in beta-strands II and VI appear to constitute the stability core of the protein. Among the 12 beta-strands constituting the beta-barrel architecture of hFGF-1, beta-strand XI, located in the heparin binding domain, exhibits the lowest average protection factor value. Amide protons involved in the putative folding nucleation site in hFGF-1, identified by quench-flow NMR studies, do not represent the slow-exchanging core. Residues in portions of hFGF-1 experiencing high conformational flexibility mostly correspond to those involved in receptor recognition and binding.

Characterization of the structure and dynamics of a near-native equilibrium intermediate in the unfolding pathway of an all beta-barrel protein

The structure and dynamics of equilibrium intermediate in the unfolding pathway of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-1) are investigated using a variety of biophysical techniques including multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Guanidinium hydrochloride (GdnHCl)-induced unfolding of hFGF-1 proceeds with the accumulation of a stable intermediate state. The transition from the intermediate state to the unfolded state(s) is cooperative without the accumulation of additional intermediate(s). The intermediate state induced maximally in 0.96 m GdnHCl is found to be obligatory in the folding/unfolding pathway of hFGF-1. Most of the native tertiary structure interactions are preserved in the intermediate state. (1)H-(15)N chemical shift perturbation data suggest that the residues in the C-terminal segment including those located in the beta-strands IX, X, and XI undergo the most discernible structural change(s) in the intermediate state in 0.96 m GdnHCl. hFGF-1 in the intermediate state (0.96 m GdnHCl) does not bind to its ligand, sucrose octasulfate. Limited proteolytic digestion experiments and hydrogen-deuterium exchange monitored by (15)N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) spectra show that the conformational flexibility of the protein in the intermediate state is significantly higher than in the native conformation. (15)N spin relaxation experiments show that many residues located in beta-strands IX, X, and XI exhibit conformational motions in the micro- to millisecond time scale. Analysis of (15)N relaxation data in conjunction with the amide proton exchange kinetics suggests that residues in the beta-strands II, VIII, and XII possibly constitute the stability core of the protein in the near-native intermediate state.

Structure and stability of an acidic fibroblast growth factor from Notophthalmus viridescens

The three-dimensional solution structure of an acidic fibroblast growth factor (nFGF-1) from the newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is determined using multidimensional NMR techniques. Complete assignment of all the atoms ((1)H, (15)N, and (13)C) has been achieved using a variety of triple resonance experiments. 50 structures were calculated using hybrid distance geometry-dynamical simulated annealing technique with a total of 1359 constraints. The atomic root mean square distribution for the backbone atoms in the structured region is 0.60 A. The secondary structural elements include 12 beta-strands arranged antiparallely into a beta-barrel structure. The protein (nFGF-1) exists in a monomeric state upon binding to the ligand, sucrose octa sulfate (SOS), in a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1. The SOS binding site consists of a dense cluster of positively charged residues located at the C-terminal end of the molecule. The conformational stabilities of nFGF-1 and its structural and functional homologue from the human source (hFGF-1) are drastically different. The differential stabilities of nFGF-1 and hFGF-1 are attributed to the differences in the number of hydrogen bonds and the presence of solvent inaccessible cavities in the two proteins.

Identification of rare partially unfolded states in equilibrium with the native conformation in an all beta-barrel protein

Human acidic fibroblast growth factor 1 (hFGF-1) is an all beta-barrel protein, and the secondary structural elements in the protein include 12 antiparallel beta-strands arranged into a beta-trefoil fold. In the present study, we investigate the stability of hFGF-1 by hydrogen-deuterium exchange as a function of urea concentration. Urea-induced equilibrium unfolding of hFGF-1 monitored by fluorescence and CD spectroscopy suggests that the protein unfolds by a two-state (native to denatured) mechanism. Hydrogen exchange in hFGF-1, under the experimental conditions used, occurs by the EX2 mechanism. In contrast to the equilibrium unfolding events monitored by optical probes, native state hydrogen exchange data show that the beta-trefoil architecture of hFGF-1 does not behave as a single cooperative unit. There are at least two structurally independent units with differing stabilities in hFGF-1. Beta-strands I, II, III, VI, VII, X, XI, and XII fit into the global unfolding isotherm. By contrast, residues in beta-strands IV, V, VIII, and IX exchange by the subfolding isotherm and could be responsible for the occurrence of high-energy partially unfolded state(s) in hFGF-1. There appears to be a broad continuum of stabilities among the four beta-strands (beta-strands IV, V, VIII, and IX) constituting the subglobal folding unit. The slow exchanging residues in hFGF-1 do not represent the folding nucleus of the protein.

Hints of nonhierarchical folding of acidic fibroblast growth factor

We have analyzed by circular dichroism (CD) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) the helical propensity of the all-beta protein acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and two peptides corresponding to beta-strand 8 (beta8 peptide, amino acids 95-107) and the beta-strand 8/turn/beta-strand 9 hairpin (beta8/9 peptide, amino acids 95-114), which has been involved in receptor binding. A secondary structure prediction of aFGF carried out by several procedures labels the 95-104 sequence as predominantly alpha-helical. A titration of aFGF with 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) induces a change in the far-UV CD spectrum of the protein giving rise to a prominent alpha-helical shape (22% alpha-helix). The cooperativity of the transition and the moderate TFE concentrations used (midpoint at 24%) suggest that the effect of TFE is specific. Moreover, a titration performed at pH 2 yields a higher amount of alpha-helix (55%) at a smaller TFE concentration. Synthetic peptides containing the beta8 and beta8/9 sequences display a random coil conformation at pH 7 but acquire alpha-helical structure in the presence of TFE, methanol, and SDS micelles. At pH below 3.0 a significant amount (20-30%) of alpha-helical conformation is present in both the beta8 and beta8/9 peptides even in the absence of other solvent additives. The secondary structure of the peptides was determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). These results suggest that the 95-114 sequence of aFGF has helical propensity and that the protein may fold nonhierarchically in the early steps of folding, acquiring its final beta-structure by a later interaction with the rest of the polypeptide.

Solution structure and interaction with basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor of a 3-kDa human platelet factor-4 fragment with antiangiogenic activity

Platelet factor-4 is a protein belonging to the family of ELR-negative CXC chemokines which binds to fibroblast growth factor and inhibits its mitogenic activity. Platelet factor-4 also inhibits tumor growth by mechanisms involving antiangiogenesis. Antiangiogenic activity in vitro has also been shown for the 24-residue C-terminal fragment of the protein, which decreases the affinity between basic fibroblast growth factor and its cell-surface receptor. In this study, the preferential conformation of this fragment in solution has been determined and has been found to be composed of two helical subdomains. In addition, we show that the fragment forms a specific 1:1 complex with acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors and that both subdomains are probably required for inhibition of fibroblast growth factor-driven mitogenesis. Finally, we show that the binding of the fragment alters the structure of the fibroblast growth factors, although some of such alterations do not seem related with the inhibition of mitogenic activity. Since this fragment has recently been shown to inhibit fibroblast growth factor-induced angiogenesis in vivo when injected intraperitoneally, these results are relevant for developing new antiangiogenic treatments.

Binding of bovine serum albumin to heparin determined by turbidimetric titration and frontal analysis continuous capillary electrophoresis

The association of proteins with glycosaminoglycans is a subject of growing interest, but few techniques exist for elucidating this interaction quantitatively. Here we demonstrate the application of capillary electrophoresis to the system of serum albumin (SA) and heparin (Hp). These two species form soluble complexes, the interaction increasing with reduction in pH and/or ionic strength (I). The acid-base property of Hp was characterized by potentiometric titration of ion-exchanged Hp. Conditions for complex formation with SA were qualitatively determined by turbidimetry, which revealed points of incipient binding (pH(c)) and phase separation (pH(phi)), both of which depend on I. At pH > pH(phi), i.e., prior to phase separation, frontal analysis continuous capillary electrophoresis was used to measure the concentration of free protein and to determine the protein-HP binding isotherm. The binding isotherms were well fit by the McGhee-von Hippel model to yield quantitative binding information in the form of intrinsic binding constants (K(obs)) and binding site size (n). The strong increase in K(obs) with decrease of pH or I could be explained on the basis of electrostatic interactions, considering the effects of protein charge heterogeneity. The value of n, independent of pH, was rationalized on the basis of size considerations. The implications of these findings for clinical applications of Hp and for its physiological behavior are discussed.

Thermodynamic characterization of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor: evidence for cold denaturation

The thermodynamic parameters characterizing the conformational stability of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-1) have been determined by isothermal urea denaturation and thermal denaturation at fixed concentrations of urea using fluorescence and far-UV CD circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The equilibrium unfolding transitions at pH 7.0 are adequately described by a two-state (native <--> unfolded state) mechanism. The stability of the protein is pH-dependent, and the protein unfolds completely below pH 3.0 (at 25 degrees C). hFGF-1 is shown to undergo a two-state transition only in a narrow pH range (pH 7.0-8.0). Under acidic (pH <6.0) and basic (pH >8.0) conditions, hFGF-1 is found to unfold noncooperatively, involving the accumulation of intermediates. The average temperature of maximum stability is determined to be 295.2 K. The heat capacity change (DeltaC(p)()) for the unfolding of hFGF-1 is estimated to be 2.1 +/- 0.5 kcal.mol(-1).K(-1). Temperature denaturation experiments in the absence and presence of urea show that hFGF-1 has a tendency to undergo cold denaturation. Two-dimensional (1)H-(15)N HSQC spectra of hFGF-1 acquired at subzero temperatures clearly show that hFGF-1 unfolds under low-temperature conditions. The significance of the noncooperative unfolding under acidic conditions and the cold denaturation process observed in hFGF-1 are discussed in detail.

Structural and Functional Analysis of the RANTES-Glycosaminoglycans Interactions†

Chemokines mediate their biological activity through activation of G protein coupled receptors, but most chemokines, including RANTES, are also able to bind glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Here, we have investigated, by site-directed mutagenesis and chemical acetylation, the role of RANTES basic residues in the interaction with GAGs using surface plasmon resonance kinetic analysis. Our results indicate that (i) RANTES exhibited selectivity in GAGs binding with highest affinity (K(d) = 32.1 nM) for heparin, (ii) RANTES uses the side chains of residues R44, K45, and R47 for heparin binding, and blocking these residues in combination abolished heparin binding. The biological relevance of RANTES-GAGs interaction was investigated in CHO-K1 cells expressing CCR5, CCR1, or CCR3 and the various GAGs that bind RANTES. Our results indicate that the heparin binding site, defined as the 40s loop, is only marginally involved in CCR5 binding and activation, but largely overlaps the CCR1 and CCR3 binding and activation domain in RANTES. In addition, enzymatic removal of cell surface GAGs by glycosidases did not affect CCR5 binding and Ca(2+) response. Furthermore, addition of soluble GAGs inhibited both CCR5 binding and functional response, with a rank of potency similar to that found in surface plasmon resonance experiments. Thus, cell surface GAGs is not a prerequisite for receptor binding or signaling, but soluble GAGs can inhibit the binding and the functional response of RANTES to CCR5 expressing cells. However, the marked selectivity of RANTES for different GAGs may serve, in vivo, to control the concentration of specific chemokines in inflammatory situations and locations.

Myo-inositol hexasulphate and low molecular weight heparin binding to human acidic fibroblast growth factor: a calorimetric and FTIR study

The interaction of an amino-terminal-truncated 139 amino-acids form of human acidic fibroblast growth factor with myo-inositol hexasulphate and low molecular weight (3500 g mol(-1)) heparin has been studied by isothermal titration calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A slightly higher affinity for the monosaccharide has been measured. The binding of the ligands causes an increase of 13--15 degrees C in the melting temperature of the free protein (45 degrees C). From measured enthalpy and heat capacity changes, calculations of changes in accessible surface areas have been made. These calculations, together with infrared spectroscopy data, indicate that a small conformational change is induced by the binding of both ligands. This conformational change would affect the tertiary structure, not the secondary one.

Construction and biological characterization of an HB-GAM/FGF-1 chimera for vascular tissue engineering

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular tissue engineering approaches to vessel wall restoration have focused on the potent but relatively nonspecific and heparin-dependent mesenchymal cell mitogen fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1). We hypothesized that linking FGF-1 to a sequence likely to bind to cell surface receptors relatively more abundant on endothelial cells (ECs) might induce a relative greater EC bioavailability of the FGF-1. We constructed a heparin-binding growth-associated molecule (HB-GAM)/FGF-1 chimera by linking full-length human HB-GAM to the amino-terminus of human FGF-1beta (21-154) and tested its activities on smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and ECs.

METHODS

Primary canine carotid SMCs and jugular vein ECs were plated in 96-well plates in media containing 10% fetal bovine serum and grown to approximately 80% confluence. After being growth arrested in serum-free media for 24 hours, the cells were exposed to concentration ranges of cytokines and heparin, and proliferation was measured with tritiated-thymidine incorporation. Twenty percent fetal bovine serum was used as positive control, and phosphate-buffered saline was used as negative control.

RESULTS

In the presence of heparin the HB-GAM/FGF-1 chimera stimulated less SMC proliferation than did the wild-type FGF-1 with a median effective dose of approximately 0.3 nmol versus approximately 0.1 nmol (P <.001). By contrast, the chimera retained full stimulating activity on EC proliferation with a median effective dose of 0.06 nmol for both cytokines. Unlike the wild-type protein, the chimera possessed heparin-independent activity. In the absence of heparin, the chimera induced dose-dependent EC and SMC proliferation at 0.06 nmol or more compared with the wild-type FGF-1, which stimulated minimal DNA synthesis at 6.0-nmol concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The HB-GAM/FGF-1 chimera displays significantly greater and uniquely heparin-independent mitogenic activity for both cell types, and in the presence of heparin it displays a significantly greater EC specificity.

15N NMR relaxation studies of free and ligand-bound human acidic fibroblast growth factor

15N NMR relaxation data have been used to characterize the backbone dynamics of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-1) in its free and sucrose octasulfate (SOS)-bound states. (15)N longitudinal (R(1)), transverse (R(2)) relaxation rates and (1H)-(15)N steady-state nuclear Overhauser effects were obtained at 500 and 600 MHz (at 25 degrees C) for all resolved backbone amide groups using (1)H- detected two-dimensional NMR experiments. Relaxation data were fit to the extended model free dynamics for each NH group. The overall correlation time (tau(m)) for the free and SOS-bound forms were estimated to be 10.4 +/- 1.07 and 11.1 +/- 1.35 ns, respectively. Titration experiments with SOS reveals that the ligand binds specifically to the C-terminal domain of the protein in a 1:1 ratio. Binding of SOS to hFGF-1 is found to induce a subtle conformational change in the protein. Significant conformational exchange (R(ex)) is observed for several residues in the free form of the protein. However, in the SOS-bound form only three residues exhibit significant R(ex) values, suggesting that the dynamics on the micro- to millisecond time scale in the free form is coupled to the cis-trans-proline isomerization. hFGF-1 is a rigid molecule with an average generalized parameter (S(2)) value of 0.89 +/- 0.03. Upon binding to SOS, there is a marked decrease in the overall flexibility (S(2) = 0.94 +/- 0.02) of the hFGF-1 molecule. However, the segment comprising residues 103-111 shows increased flexibility in the presence of SOS. Significant correlation is found between residues that show high flexibility and the putative receptor binding sites on the protein.

Identification and characterization of an equilibrium intermediate in the unfolding pathway of an all beta-barrel protein

The guanidinium hydrochloride (GdnHCl)-induced unfolding of an all beta-sheet protein, the human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-1), is studied using a variety of biophysical techniques including multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. The unfolding of hFGF-1 in GdnHCl is shown to involve the formation of a stable equilibrium intermediate. Size exclusion chromotagraphy using fast protein liquid chromatography shows that the intermediate accumulates maximally at 0.96 m GdnHCl. 1-Anilinonapthalene 8-sulfonate binding, one-dimensional (1)H NMR, and limited proteolytic digestion experiments suggest that the intermediate has characteristics resembling a molten globule state. Chemical shift perturbation and hydrogen-deuterium exchange monitored by (1)H-(15)N heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectra reveal that profound structural changes in the intermediate state (in 0.96 m GdnHCl) occur in the C-terminal, heparin binding region of the protein molecule. Additionally, results of the stopped flow fluorescence experiments suggest that the kinetic refolding of hFGF-1 proceeds through the accumulation of an intermediate at low concentrations of the denaturant. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report wherein an equilibrium intermediate is characterized in detail in an all beta-barrel protein.

The cysteine-free fibroblast growth factor 1 mutant induces heparin-independent proliferation of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

The structure/function relationships of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) are being investigated using site mutation, yielding novel structures with potential clinical applicability for modulating tissue responses to vascular interventions. We generated a mutant FGF-1 in which all three cysteines were converted to serines and then tested the relative mitogenic activities on endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the molecular stability of the protein to thrombin-induced degradation.

METHODS

The dose responses of wild-type FGF-1 and the Cys-free mutant in the absence or presence of heparin were tested on ECs and SMCs. Cell proliferation was measured by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. Data were normalized by positive control (20% fetal bovine serum) and expressed as percentage of positive control for comparison. The molecular stability was examined by exposure of the cytokines to thrombin at 37 degrees C for 0.5-24 h and then analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS

Unlike wild-type FGF-1 which induced only minimal DNA synthesis at concentrations as high as 100 ng/ml, the Cys-free mutant induced a dose-dependent proliferation starting at 1 ng/ml on both ECs and SMCs in the absence of heparin. At 100 ng/ml, Cys-free mutant induced 4-fold more proliferation than wild-type FGF-1 on ECs (76.64 +/- 13.39% vs 14.58 +/- 1.38%, P < 0.01) and 12-fold more proliferation on SMCs (143.52 +/- 9.96 vs 11.25 +/- 3.32, P < 0.01). Heparin 5 U/ml potentiated the mitogenic activity of the Cys-free mutant at low dose range. Both proteins were degraded by thrombin progressively. But the Cys-free mutant showed more susceptibility with accelerated appearance of lower-molecular-weight fragment bands after incubation with thrombin.

CONCLUSIONS

Conversion of cysteine residues to serine changed the heparin dependency of the growth factor and increased its mitogenic activity and its susceptibility to thrombin-induced degradation.

Engineering of an FGF-proteoglycan fusion protein with heparin-independent, mitogenic activity

In the absence of heparan sulfate (HS) on the surface of target cells, or free heparin (HP) in the vicinity of their receptors, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family members cannot exert their biological activity and are easily damaged by proteolysis. This limits the utility of FGFs in a variety of applications including treatment of surgical, burn, and periodontal tissue wounds, gastric ulcers, segmental bony defects, ligament and spinal cord injury. Here we describe an FGF analog engineered to overcome this limitation by fusing FGF-1 with HS proteoglycan (PG) core protein. The fusion protein (PG-FGF-1), which was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and collected from the conditioned medium, possessed both HS and chondroitin sulfate sugar chains. After fractionation, intact PG-FGF-1 proteins with little affinity to immobilized HP and high-level HS modification, but not their heparitinase or heparinase digests, exerted mitogenic activity independent of exogenous HP toward HS-free Ba/F3 transfectants expressing FGF receptor. Although PG-FGF-1 was resistant to tryptic digestion, its physiological degradation with a combination of heparitinase and trypsin augmented its mitogenic activity toward human endothelial cells. The same treatment abolished the activity of simple FGF-1 protein. By constructing a biologically active proteoglycan-FGF-1 fusion protein, we have demonstrated an approach that may prove effective for engineering not only FGF family members, but other HP-binding molecules as well.

Energetics of myo-inositol hexasulfate binding to human acidic fibroblast growth factor effect of ionic strength and temperature

The binding of myo-inositol hexasulfate to an N-terminal truncated 132-amino-acid human acidic fibroblast growth factor form was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry. The technique yields values for the enthalpy change and equilibrium constant, from which the Gibbs energy and entropy change can also be calculated. Experiments in different buffers and pH values show that the proton balance in the reaction is negligible. Experiments at pH 7.0 in the presence of 0.2-0.6 M NaCl showed that the enthalpy and Gibbs energy changes parallel behaviour with ionic strength change, with values in the -21 to -11 kJ x mol(-1) range in the first case and in the -31 to -22 kJ x mol(-1) range in the second. No dependence of entropy on ionic strength was found, with a constant value of approximately 35 J x K(-1) x mol(-1) at all ionic strengths studied. The results can be interpreted in molecular terms by a model in which competitive binding of 3-4 chloride ions to the myo-inositol-binding site is assumed. Isothermal titration calorimetry was also performed at different temperatures and yielded a value of -142+/-13 J x K(-1) x mol(-1) for the heat-capacity change at pH 7.0 and 0.4 M NaCl. Using different parametric equations in the literature, changes on ligand binding in the range -100 to -200 A2 in solvent-accessible surface areas, both polar and apolar, were calculated from thermodynamic data. These values suggest a negligible overall conformational change in the protein when the ligand binds and agree closely with calculations performed with NMR structural data, in which it is shown that the most important negative change in total solvent-accessible surface area occurs in the amino acids Ile56, Gln57, Leu58 and Leu149, in the high-affinity receptor-binding region of the protein.

1H NMR structural characterization of a nonmitogenic, vasodilatory, ischemia-protector and neuromodulatory acidic fibroblast growth factor

A shortened genetically engineered form of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), that includes amino acids 28-154 of the full-length sequence (154 residues) plus Met in substitution of Leu27, does not induce cell division even though it is recognized by the cell membrane receptor, triggers the early mitogenic events, and retains the neuromodulatory, vasoactive, and cardio- and neuroprotective properties of the native full-length molecule. Taken together, these properties make this truncated aFGF a promising compound in the treatment of a wide assortment of neurological and cardiovascular pathologies where aFGF mitogenic activity is dispensable. Differences in biological activities between the shortened aFGF and the wild-type form have been attributed to lack of stability, and to the specific amino acid sequence missing at the N-terminus. Here we show that this shortened aFGF form has a three-dimensional structure even more stable than the wild-type protein at the mitogenic assay conditions; that this structure is similar to that of the wild type except at site 1 of interaction with the cell membrane receptor; that its lack of mitogenic activity cannot be attributed to the specific missing sequence; and that the vasodilatory activity of aFGF seems impaired by alterations of the three-dimensional structure of site 2 of interaction with the cell membrane receptor.

The AATPAP sequence is a very efficient signal for O-glycosylation in CHO cells

The peptide signal sequence for protein O-glycosylation is not fully characterized, although a recent in vitro study proposed that the sequence motif, XTPXP, serves as a signal for mucin-type O-glycosylation. Here, we show that the AATPAP sequence acts as an efficient O-glycosylation signal, in vivo. A secreted fibroblast growth factor (secFGF) was used as a model to analyze glycosylation and its effects on the biological activity of FGF. Two constructs encoding [AATPAP]secFGF in which AATPAP was introduced at the N- or C-terminus of secFGF were constructed in an eukaryotic expression vector. [AATPAP]secFGF proteins were then expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and secreted into the surrounding medium, primarily as modified forms sensitive to sialidase but not to peptide N-glycosidase F. The modifying groups were not seen when the AATPAP sequence was converted to AAAPAP or when [AATPAP]secFGF was expressed in mutant cells incapable of UDP-GalNAc biosynthesis. The results indicate that the modifying groups were mucin-type O-glycans and that the AATPAP served as an efficient O-glycosylation signal sequence. The O-glycosylated forms of [AATPAP]secFGF were as mitogenic toward human vascular endothelial cells as unmodified secFGF, suggesting that introduction of the signal into biologically active polypeptides is a promising approach with which O-glycosylation may be achieved without affecting original activity.

Structural analysis of the heparin-binding site of the NC1 domain of collagen XIV by CD and NMR

Type XIV collagen, a fibril-associated collagen with interrupted triple helices (FACIT), interacts with the surrounding extracellular matrix and/or with cells via its binding to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). To further characterize such interactions in the NC1 domain of chicken collagen XIV, we identified amino acids essential for heparin binding by affinity chromatography analysis after proteolytic digestion of the synthetic peptide NC1(84-116). The 3D structure of this peptide was then obtained using circular dichroism and NMR. The NC1(84-116) peptide appeared poorly structured in water, but the stabilization of its conformation by the interaction with hydrophobic surfaces or by using cosolvents (TFE, SDS) revealed a high propensity to adopt an alpha-helical folding. A 3D structure model of NC1(84-116), calculated from NMR data recorded in a TFE/water mixture, showed that the NC1-heparin binding site forms a amphipathic alpha-helix exhibiting a twisted basic groove. It is structurally similar to the consensus spatial alpha-helix model of heparin-binding [Margalit et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 19228-19231], except that the GAG binding domain of NC1 may be extended over 18 residues, that is, the NC1(94-111) segment. In addition, the formation of a hydrophobic groove upon helix formation suggests the contribution of additional sequences to ensure the stability of the GAG-binding domain. Overall the NC1(84-116) model exhibits a nativelike conformation which presents suitably oriented residues for the interaction with a specific GAG.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor induces an antifibrogenic phenotype in human lung fibroblasts

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1), a prototype member of the heparin-binding growth factor family, influences proliferation, differentiation, and protein synthesis in different cell types. However, its possible role on lung extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism has not been evaluated. In this study we examined the effects of FGF-1 and FGF-1 plus heparin on type I collagen, collagen-binding stress protein HSP47, interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-1), gelatinase A, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 expression by normal human lung fibroblasts. Heparin was used because it enhances the biologic activities of FGF-1. Fibroblasts were exposed either to 20 ng/ml FGF-1 plus 100 micrograms/ml heparin for 48 h or to FGF-1 or heparin alone. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was analyzed by Northern blot. Collagen synthesis was evaluated by digestion of [3H]collagen with bacterial collagenase, MMP-1 by Western blot, and gelatinolytic activities by zymography. Our results show that FGF-1 induced collagenase mRNA expression, which was strongly enhanced when FGF-1 was used with heparin. Likewise, both FGF-1 and FGF-1 plus heparin reduced by 70 to 80% the expression of type I collagen transcript, in part through effect on pro-alpha1(I) collagen mRNA stability. A downregulation of HSP47 gene expression was also observed. Synthesis of collagen and collagenase proteins paralleled gene expression results. FGF-1 activities were abolished with genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Neither FGF-1 nor FGF-1 plus heparin affected the expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and gelatinase A. These findings demonstrate that FGF-1, mostly in the presence of heparin, upregulates collagenase and downregulates type I collagen expression that might have a protective role in avoiding collagen accumulation during lung ECM remodeling.

Cloning of an intracellular protein that binds selectively to mitogenic acidic fibroblast growth factor

In addition to its extracellular action, there is evidence that acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) acts inside cells. To identify intracellular proteins interacting with aFGF, we screened a HeLa cell library in the yeast two-hybrid system using pLex-aFGF as a bait. A clone binding to aFGF, but not to the non-mitogenic mutant aFGF-K132E, was isolated and characterized. The insert contained an open reading frame corresponding to a novel protein of 42 kDa. The protein, termed aFGF intracellular binding protein (FIBP), is mainly hydrophilic and does not contain an N-terminal signal sequence. In vitro-translated FIBP bound specifically to a fusion protein of maltose-binding protein and aFGF. FIBP became post-translationally associated with microsomes added to the cell-free protein synthesizing system, and the membrane-associated protein bound aFGF with high efficiency. Immunoblots and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the protein is present in nuclei and, to a lesser extent, associated with mitochondria and other cytoplasmic membranes. The possibility is discussed that FIBP may be involved in the mitogenic action of aFGF.

Solution structure of acidic fibroblast growth factor bound to 1,3, 6-naphthalenetrisulfonate: a minimal model for the anti-tumoral action of suramins and suradistas

Recent data show that anti-angiogenesis may provide a promising route to treat cancer. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are powerful angiogenic polypeptides, whose mitogenic activity requires the presence of heparin-like compounds. It has been shown that angiogenesis promoted by FGFs on inhibition by monoclonal antibodies and antisense targeting can also inhibit tumour growth. Derivatives of suramin, a polysulfonated binaphthyl urea and binaphthylsulfonated derivatives of distamycin, suradistas, constitute an important group of potential anti-cancer agents. These compounds compete with heparin in forming tight complexes with FGFs. This inhibits the recognition of these growth factors by their tyrosine kinase membrane receptors thereby suppressing their angiogenic activity. Here we show that 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonate, a common chemical function of the suramins and suradistas with the highest anti-angiogenic activity inhibits the mitogenic activity of acidic fibroblast growth factor, and that this inhibition is relieved by increasing concentrations of heparin in the assay. We have also solved the three-dimensional structure in solution of the protein complexed to this compound. The structural data provide clues that may help in understanding the inhibitory effect of suramins and suradistas, and could contribute to the development of new anti-tumoral drugs.

Primary structure of ovine fibroblast growth factor-1 deduced by protein and cDNA analysis

The amino acid sequence of full-length ovine fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) was determined by a combination of protein and cDNA sequencing. FGF-1 cDNA analysis indicated that ovine kidney cells express mRNAs encoding both full-length FGF-1 and a truncated FGF-1 variant. An overall comparison of the ovine FGF-1 primary sequence to the eight species studied to date revealed a high degree of conservation, with ovine FGF-1 sharing 90 and 95% sequence identity with human FGF-1 and bovine FGF-1, respectively. Additionally, the FGF-1 proteins from the various species have conserved cysteine residues at positions 30 and 97 and contain acetylated amino-terminal alanine residues. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that the blocking group of ovine FGF-1 is also consistent with that of an acetyl-moiety. In contrast to the other FGF-1 proteins, the 154 residue primary sequence of ovine FGF-1 contains three unique amino acid differences: Arg9, Arg44, and Ile123. Ovine FGF-1, unlike human FGF-1, is a potent mitogenic factor for NIH 3T3 fibroblasts in the absence of heparin. In the presence of exogenous heparin, the mitogenic activity of ovine FGF-1 is potentiated slightly.

Hydrogen exchange and protein folding

Amide hydrogen-deuterium exchange is a sensitive probe of the structure, stability and dynamics of proteins. The significant increase in the number of small, model proteins that have been studied has allowed a better understanding of the structural fluctuations that lead to hydrogen exchange. Recent technical advances enable the methodology to be applied to the study of protein-protein interactions in much larger, more complex systems.

Destabilization, oligomerization and inhibition of the mitogenic activity of acidic fibroblast-growth factor by aurintricarboxylic acid

The triphenylmethane derivative aurintricarboxylic acid has been used to inhibit angiogenesis, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and cell transformation, an effect that has been attributed to its relatively nonspecific inhibitory activity of protein-nucleic acid interactions. Here, we show that this compound binds to acidic fibroblast growth factor, a prototypic member of a family of protein mitogens activated by heparin, altering its physicochemical properties and decreasing its mitogenic activity. Counteraction of the effects of aurintricarboxylic acid by heparin shows that the two compounds have opposite and reversible effects on acidic fibroblast growth factor structure and biological activity. The studies reported here may contribute to a deeper understanding of the inhibition of fibroblast-growth-factor-dependent mitogenesis of relevance to future pharmacologic developments.