Probing fibroblast growth factor dimerization and role of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans in modulating dimerization and signaling

For a number of growth factors and cytokines, ligand dimerization is believed to be central to the formation of an active signaling complex. In the case of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) signaling, heparin/heparan sulfate-like glycosaminoglycans (HLGAGs) are involved through interaction with both FGF2 and its receptors (FGFRs) in assembling a tertiary complex and modulating FGF2 activity. Biochemical data have suggested different modes of HLGAG-induced FGF2 dimerization involving specific protein-protein contacts. In addition, several recent x-ray crystallography studies of FGF(.)FGFR and FGF(.)FGFR(.)HLGAG complexes have revealed other modes of molecular assemblage, with no FGF-FGF contacts. All these different biochemical and structural findings have clarified less and in fact raised more questions as to which mode of FGF2 dimerization, if any, is essential for signaling. In this study, we address the issue of FGF2 dimerization in signaling using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and site-directed mutagenesis approaches. Our findings presented here provide direct evidence of FGF2 dimerization in mediating FGF2 signaling.