title: Direct interaction between CCN family protein 2 and fibroblast growth factor 1.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8525, Japan.
authors.forename: Tarek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abd El Kader
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anno
authors.forename: Saho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furumatsu
authors.forename: Eriko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aoyama
authors.forename: Takuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuboki
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takigawa