In: Biology
Why is binding of hFGF-1 to heparin important
Ans. heparin/heparan sulfate are believed to be required for
binding
of FGF-1 to their high affinity receptor. The FGFs bind to heparin and to the glycosaminoglycan
chain of heparan sulfate which
enhance mitogenic activity of them, particularly
FGF-1. A recent model of
Pantoliano et al, complex FGF- 2/heparin/FGF.R1 (1:1:2) where receptor
dimerization would be responsible for cross phosphorylation and
signal transduction.