Folding of Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 Is Critical for Its Nonclassical Release

by Prudovsky, Igor; Kacer, Doreen; Davis, Julie B.; Shah, Varun; Jayanthi, Srinivas; Huber, Isabelle; Dakshinamurthy, Rajalingam; Ganter, Owen; Soldi, Raffaella; Neivandt, David; Guvench, Olgun; Kumar, Thallapuranam Krishnaswamy Suresh

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), a ubiquitously expressed pro-angiogenic protein that is involved in tissue repair, carcinogenesis, and maintenance of vasculature stability, is released from the cells via a stress-dependent nonclassical secretory pathway. FGF1 secretion is a result of transmembrane translocation of this protein. It correlates with the ability of FGF1 to permeabilize membranes composed of acidic phospholipids. Like several other nonclassically exported proteins, FGF1 exhibits beta-barrel folding. To assess the role of folding of FGF1 in its secretion, we applied targeted mutagenesis in combination with a complex of biophysical methods and molecular dynamics studies, followed by artificial membrane permeabilization and stress-induced release experiments. It has been demonstrated that a mutation of proline 135 located in the C-terminus of FGF1 results in (i) partial unfolding of FGF1, (ii) a decrease in FGF1's ability to permeabilize bilayers composed of phosphatidylserine, and (iii) drastic inhibition of stress-induced FGF1 export. Thus, folding of FGF1 is critical for its nonclassical secretion.

Journal
Biochemistry
Volume
55
Issue
7
Year
2016
Start Page
1159
ISBN/ISSN
1520-4995; 0006-2960
PMID
26836284
DOI
10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01341