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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Screening and Identification of Small Peptides Targeting Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor2 using a Phage Display Peptide Library
Published on: September 30, 2019
NCAM-derived peptides function as agonists for the fibroblast growth factor receptor
Stine M M Hansen1, Lene B Køhler, Shizhong Li
1Protein Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Researchers found that specific parts of the first fibronectin type III (FN3) module in neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) bind to and activate fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR). These peptides, called encamins, promote neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) interacts with fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR).
- Both fibronectin type III (FN3) modules of NCAM are implicated in this interaction.
- Previous studies localized one NCAM-FGFR contact site to the second FN3 module.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the first NCAM FN3 module in FGFR interactions.
- To identify specific regions within the first FN3 module that bind and activate FGFR.
- To explore the functional consequences of these interactions on neuronal development and function.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of peptide sequences (encamins) from the first NCAM FN3 module.
- Testing encamin binding and FGFR activation.
- Assessing FGFR-dependent neurite outgrowth, neuronal survival, and pre-synaptic function.
Main Results:
- Encamins from the C-terminal part of the first FN3 module (EncaminA, C, E) bound to and activated FGFR.
- N-terminal encamins did not interact with FGFR.
- Encamins induced FGFR-dependent neurite outgrowth.
- EncaminC and E enhanced neuronal survival and pre-synaptic function.
Conclusions:
- The NCAM-FGFR interaction involves multiple contact sites across both NCAM FN3 modules.
- Encamins represent potential pharmacological tools for studying NCAM functions.
- Encamins could be useful for neuroprotection and modulating neural plasticity.
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