Selection of a novel FGF23-binding peptide antagonizing the inhibitory effect of FGF23 on phosphate uptake

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a bone-derived endocrine regulator of phosphate homeostasis and has been considered as a potential therapeutic target for hypophosphatemic disorders. Herein, we isolated a novel FGF23-binding peptide by screening a phage display library with FGF23180-205, the minimal epitope of FGF23 binding to the binary fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-Klotho complex. The corresponding peptide (referred to as 23-b6) showed high homology to the immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domain III (D3) of FGFR1c, the predominant receptor mediating the phosphaturic activity of FGF23. The 23-b6 peptide and panning target FGF23180-205 carried opposite charges and shared similar hydrophilic profiles. Functional analysis indicated that synthetic 23-b6 peptide exhibited antagonistic effect on the inhibition of phosphate uptake by FGF23 in opossum kidney cells (OK cells). The mechanisms of 23-b6 peptide impairing the bioactivity of FGF23 involved blockade of the activation of Erk cascade and up-regulation of NaPi-2a and NaPi-2c expression in OK cells. Our results demonstrate that the 23-b6 peptide is a potent FGF23 antagonist with increased effect on phosphate uptake in kidney cells and might have therapeutic potentials in hypophosphatemic disorders characterized by an abnormally high level of FGF23.