Fibronectin binding

Abstract: THE cytoplasmic focal adhesion protein-tyrosine kinase (FAK) localizes with surface integrin receptors at sites where cells attach to the extracellular matrix. Increased FAK tyrosine phosphory-lation occurs upon integrin engagement with fibronectin. Here we show that adhesion of murine NIH3T3 fibroblasts to fibronectin promotes SH2-domain-mediated association of the GRB2 adaptor protein and the c-Src protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) with FAK in vivo, and also results in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In v-Src-transformed NIH3T3, the association of v-Src, GRB2 and Sos with FAK is independent of cell adhesion to fibronectin. The GRB2 SH2 domain binds directly to tyrosine-phosphorylated FAK. Mutation of tyrosine residue 925 of FAK (YENV motif) to phenylalanine blocks GRB2 SH2-domain binding to FAK in vitro . Our results show that fibronectin binding to integrins on NIH3T3 fibroblasts promotes c-Src and FAK asso-ciation and formation of an integrin-activated signalling complex. Phosphorylation of FAK at Tyr 925 upon fibronectin stimulation creates an SH2-binding site for GRB2 which may link integrin engagement to the activation of the Ras/MAPK signal transduc-tion pathway.

Abstract: sustained and eventually terminated by a large number and variety of molecules. Growth factors represent one of the most important of the molecular families involved in healing, and a considerable number of studies have been undertaken in an effort to elucidate their many functions. This review covers some of the recent investigations into the roles of five growth factors whose activities have been best characterised during tendon healing: insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). All five are markedly up-regulated following tendon injury and are active at multiple stages of the healing process. IGF-I has been shown to be highly expressed during the early inflammatory phase in a number of animal tendon healing models, and appears to aid in the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and to subsequently increase collagen production. TGFβ is also active during inflammation, and has a variety of effects including the regulation of cellular migration and proliferation, and fibronectin binding interactions. VEGF is produced at its highest levels only after the inflammatory phase, at which time it is a powerful stimulator of angiogenesis. PDGF is produced shortly after tendon

Abstract: The Arg-Gly-Asp sequence resides in the cell attachment region of fibronectin. Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides support fibroblast attachment, inhibit fibroblast adhesion to fibronectin, and inhibit fibronectin binding to thrombin-stimulated platelets. In view of the similarities between the binding of fibronectin, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor to stimulated platelets, we have examined the effects of Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides on the interaction of these latter two adhesive proteins with platelets. Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro was used as a prototype peptide, and this hexapeptide inhibited fibrinogen binding to ADP and thrombin-stimulated platelets in the 10-200 microM range. The inhibition exceeded 90% at high concentrations of peptide and was observed in the presence of either calcium or magnesium. Platelet aggregation was also inhibited by the peptide in this dose range. The hexapeptide inhibited fibrinogen binding to platelets with receptors fixed in an exposed state, indicating direct interference with the ligand-platelet interaction. The peptide was 1/2 to 1/3rd as potent in inhibiting fibrinogen as fibronectin binding to platelets, but fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor binding were inhibited to an identical extent. Conservative amino acid substitutions for the arginine, glycine, or aspartic acid markedly reduced inhibitory activity and the Asp-Gly-Arg sequence was inactive. These results indicate that Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides can inhibit the binding of the three adhesive proteins to stimulated platelets, establishing a basic common feature between the interaction of these molecules with platelets.