Cation-pi Interactions Contribute Significantly To The Stability Of The D2 Domain Of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are ∼ 16 kDa heparin binding proteins that regulate key cellular processes such as angiogenesis, differentiation, morphogenesis, wound healing and tumor growth. FGFRs consist of three extracellular ligand binding domains (D1, D2, D3), a single transmembrane helix, and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain. Cell surface-bound HSPGs (heparan sulfate proteoglycans) supported dimerization or polymerization of the FGFRs are thought to be required to activate the signaling pathway.