Direct interaction between CCN family protein 2 and fibroblast growth factor 1.

Tarek Abd El Kader, Satoshi Kubota, Ken Anno, Saho Tanaka, Takashi Nishida, Takayuki Furumatsu, Eriko Aoyama, Takuo Kuboki, Masaharu Takigawa

Index: J. Cell Commun. Signal. 8 , 157-63, (2014)

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Abstract

In an attempt to find out a new molecular counterpart of CCN family protein 2 (CCN2), a matricellular protein with multiple functions, we performed an interactome analysis and found fibroblast growth factor (FGF) -1 as one of the candidates. Solid-phase binding assay indicated specific binding between CCN2 and FGF-1. This binding was also confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis that revealed a dissociation constant (Kd) of 3.98 nM indicating strong molecular interaction between the two. RNA analysis suggested that both FGF-1 and CCN2 could be produced by chondrocytes and thus their interaction in the cartilage is possible. These findings for the first time indicate the direct interaction of CCN2 and FGF-1 and suggest the co-presence of these molecules in the cartilage microenvironment. CCN2 is a well-known promoter of cartilage development and regeneration, whereas the physiological and pathological role of FGF-1 in cartilage mostly remains unclear. Biological role of FGF-1 itself in cartilage is also suspected.