FIBP Human Recombinant is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 387 amino acids (1-364) with a molecular mass of 44.3kDa. When produced in E. coli for research purposes, it is typically fused to a 23 amino acid His-Tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification through chromatographic techniques .
The protein is commonly supplied in 20mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) with 10% glycerol. For optimal stability during long-term storage, researchers should store the protein at -20°C with the addition of a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA) and avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles that can compromise structural integrity .
Researchers should be aware of the following alternative designations when searching literature or databases:
FGFIBP
FIBP-1
Acidic fibroblast growth factor intracellular-binding protein
aFGF intracellular-binding protein
These alternative nomenclatures reflect the protein's functional relationship with fibroblast growth factor signaling pathways.
FIBP demonstrates a differential expression pattern across human tissues. It is highly expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, and pancreas, while showing lower expression levels in brain, placenta, liver, and kidney . This tissue-specific expression pattern suggests specialized functions in different organ systems.
Methodologically, when analyzing FIBP expression across tissues, researchers should employ multiple detection techniques including qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry for comprehensive validation. Proper normalization with tissue-specific reference genes is essential for accurate comparative analyses.
FIBP exhibits significant upregulation across multiple cancer types compared to corresponding normal tissues. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data demonstrates FIBP overexpression in 28 cancer types, including bladder cancer (BLCA), breast cancer (BRCA), acute myeloid leukemia (LAML), and numerous others .
Clinical correlations reveal that FIBP expression is significantly associated with:
Elevated white blood cell (WBC) count (p < 0.05)
Increased peripheral blood (PB) blasts (p < 0.01)
French-American-British (FAB) classifications (p < 0.01)
Characteristic | Levels | Low expression of FIBP | High expression of FIBP | p |
---|---|---|---|---|
WBC count (x10^9/L) | ≤ 20 | 45 (30%) | 32 (21.3%) | 0.033 |
> 20 | 29 (19.3%) | 44 (29.3%) | ||
PB blasts (%) | ≤ 70 | 45 (29.8%) | 27 (17.9%) | 0.004 |
> 70 | 30 (19.9%) | 49 (32.5%) | ||
FAB classifications | M0 | 10 (6.7%) | 5 (3.3%) | 0.001 |
Cytogenetic risk | - | - | - | < 0.001 |
These associations suggest FIBP may contribute to a more aggressive disease phenotype .
Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes associated with FIBP in AML reveal involvement in multiple cancer-relevant processes . Key biological processes include:
Leukocyte migration and chemotaxis
Extracellular matrix organization
Leukocyte cell-cell adhesion
Myeloid leukocyte differentiation
Endothelial cell proliferation
The cellular component (CC) analysis indicates enrichment in transporter complexes, membrane regions, and membrane microdomains. Molecular function (MF) analyses highlight roles in G protein-coupled receptor binding, cytokine activity, and growth factor binding .
At the pathway level, FIBP-associated genes are enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules, and complement and coagulation cascade pathways .
Recombinant FIBP Human production is typically achieved using E. coli expression systems . The methodology involves:
Expression as a fusion protein with an N-terminal His-tag (23 amino acids) to facilitate purification
Purification using proprietary chromatographic techniques
Formulation in 20mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) with 10% glycerol for stability
When working with recombinant FIBP, researchers should verify protein purity (>95% by SDS-PAGE is standard) and confirm biological activity. Storage recommendations include maintaining at 4°C if using within 2-4 weeks or at -20°C for longer periods, with the addition of carrier proteins (0.1% HSA or BSA) to prevent degradation .
To investigate FIBP's interactions with FGF-1 and other potential binding partners, researchers should employ multiple complementary techniques:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) followed by western blotting to detect physical interactions
Proximity ligation assays for in-situ visualization of protein-protein interactions
Label transfer methods (BioID, APEX) to identify interacting proteins in living cells
Mass spectrometry-based approaches for unbiased interactome analysis
Yeast two-hybrid or mammalian two-hybrid systems for direct binary interaction assessment
When analyzing FIBP-FGF-1 interactions specifically, researchers should account for FIBP's role in binding internalized FGF-1, distinguishing it from extracellular FGF-binding proteins . Functional validation through mutation of binding interfaces can confirm the specificity and significance of observed interactions.
Given FIBP's correlation with immune infiltrates in cancers, researchers can employ several methodologies to investigate its immunomodulatory functions:
Flow cytometry to quantify immune cell populations in relation to FIBP expression
Multiplex immunohistochemistry to maintain spatial context of immune infiltration
FIBP gene knockout or knockdown in tumor cells followed by co-culture with immune cells
Analysis of cytokine production in FIBP-manipulated experimental systems
Research has demonstrated that FIBP shows significant correlation with CD4, IL-10, and IL-2, indicating potential roles in T cell regulation . The relationship between FIBP and these immune markers suggests involvement in modulating anti-tumor immune responses, a direction warranting further investigation using the methodologies outlined above.
FIBP shows promise as a prognostic biomarker, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia. Implementation strategies should consider:
Quantitative assessment of FIBP expression using validated antibodies or RNA-based methods
Integration with established prognostic factors through multivariate analysis
Correlation with specific genetic alterations (e.g., NPM1 mutations)
Stratification of patients based on FIBP expression thresholds
Several approaches can be explored for targeting FIBP in cancer therapy:
Small molecule inhibitors disrupting FIBP-FGF1 interaction
RNA interference-based therapeutics (siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides)
CRISPR-based gene editing to knock out FIBP in therapeutic settings
Combination approaches targeting FIBP alongside complementary pathways
The finding that FIBP knockout enhances T cell antitumor efficacy through downregulation of cholesterol metabolism suggests potential synergy between FIBP inhibition and immunotherapy approaches. This represents a promising avenue for therapeutic development, particularly in malignancies where FIBP overexpression correlates with poor prognosis.
Translational challenges in FIBP-targeted therapy development include:
Intracellular localization limiting accessibility to therapeutic agents
Potential toxicity concerns given FIBP expression in critical normal tissues (heart, skeletal muscle)
Compensatory mechanisms that might arise from pathway redundancy
Need for biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from FIBP-targeted approaches
Addressing these challenges requires systematic preclinical investigation using physiologically relevant models, careful toxicity assessment in normal tissues, and development of advanced delivery systems capable of reaching intracellular targets efficiently.
FIBP's role in shaping the tumor microenvironment extends beyond cancer cells to influence stromal components. Research approaches should investigate:
Effects on endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis
Correlation with extracellular matrix organization and remodeling
Modulation of immune cell infiltration patterns and function
Communication between tumor cells and surrounding stroma through FIBP-dependent mechanisms
Gene enrichment analyses linking FIBP to biological processes including extracellular matrix organization, endothelial cell proliferation, and regulation of blood circulation suggest broader roles in tumor-stroma interaction that warrant detailed investigation through co-culture systems and in vivo models.
Post-translational modifications likely play important roles in regulating FIBP function, though this area remains incompletely characterized. Research methodologies should include:
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics with enrichment for specific modifications
Site-directed mutagenesis of putative modification sites
Analysis of modification dynamics in response to cellular stimuli
Identification of enzymes responsible for adding or removing modifications
Understanding the post-translational regulation of FIBP may reveal novel mechanisms for therapeutic intervention that could be more specific than targeting protein expression or interaction directly.
Investigation of FIBP genetic variants represents an emerging research direction. Methodological approaches include:
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and targeted sequencing in patient cohorts
Functional characterization of variants through expression in cellular models
Computational prediction tools for initial assessment of variant impact
Correlation of variant status with clinical parameters and treatment response
The potential role of FIBP variants in disease susceptibility or treatment response could provide valuable insights for personalized medicine approaches in FIBP-associated malignancies.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 (FGF-1), also known as acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family. This family of proteins is involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell growth, development, and tissue repair. FGF-1 is a non-glycosylated, single polypeptide protein that plays a crucial role in stimulating DNA synthesis and cell proliferation .
FGF-1 is a small protein with a molecular mass of approximately 18 kDa in its reduced form and 16 kDa in its non-reduced form . It does not have a definitive signal sequence, which means it is not secreted through classical pathways. Instead, FGF-1 forms a disulfide-linked dimer inside cells, which associates with a complex of proteins at the cell membrane. This complex helps flip FGF-1 through the membrane to the exterior of the cell .
Once outside the cell, FGF-1 dissociates into monomeric form in the reducing conditions of the surrounding tissue. It can then enter systemic circulation or be sequestered in tissues by binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix .
FGF-1 is capable of binding with all four fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and exerts its intracellular effects through downstream pathways such as PLCγ and MAPK . This binding and subsequent signaling are essential for various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and migration. FGF-1 is particularly known for its role in promoting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and wound healing .
Recombinant human FGF-1 is produced using various expression systems, including E. coli and HEK293 cells . The recombinant protein is optimized for use in cell culture, differentiation studies, and functional assays. It is available in different purity grades, with research-grade FGF-1 being commonly used in laboratory settings .
Recombinant FGF-1 has been widely used in research to study its effects on cell proliferation and differentiation. For example, it has been shown to stimulate dose-dependent proliferation of human primary fibroblast cell lines . This makes it a valuable tool for studying cellular processes and developing therapeutic strategies for tissue repair and regeneration.
Dysregulated FGF-1 signaling has been associated with various pathological conditions, including tumor invasion and metastasis . Understanding the mechanisms of FGF-1 action and its interactions with other cellular components is crucial for developing targeted therapies for cancer and other diseases.