Author
Avner Yayon
Bio: Avner Yayon is an academic researcher from Weizmann Institute of Science. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fibroblast growth factor & Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. The author has an hindex of 52, co-authored 141 publications receiving 11991 citations.
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TL;DR: It is demonstrated that free heparin and heparan sulfate can reconstitute a low affinity receptor that is, in turn, required for the high affinity binding of bFGF.
2,448 citations
TL;DR: This model provides a structural basis for FGFR activation by small molecule Heparin analogs and may facilitate the design of heparin mimetics capable of modulating FGF signaling.
1,190 citations
TL;DR: Exposure of both FGFR2 variants is concordant with their involvement in murine gastrulation, and it is suggested that alternative splicing is jointly responsible for ligand binding and spatial specificity.
555 citations
TL;DR: Results identify perlecan as a major candidate for a bFGF low affinity, accessory receptor and an angiogenic modulator.
527 citations
TL;DR: Tissue‐specific alternative splicing in FGF receptors allows for the generation of two distinct receptors from a single gene because alternative exons determine the sequence of the COOH‐terminal half of the third Ig‐like domain involved in ligand binding.
Abstract: Since 1989, the receptors for fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) were cloned and characterized as a subgroup of the family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Four FGF receptor genes were identified, all of which encode membrane-bound glycoproteins containing three immunoglobulin (Ig) -like domains at the extracellular region, where only two of these domains are involved in ligand binding. Three unique features characterize the FGF receptors: 1) overlapping recognition and redundant specificity, where one receptor may bind with a similar affinity several of the seven known FGFs and one FGF may bind similarly to several distinct receptors. 2) The binding of FGFs to their receptors is dependent on the interaction of FGF with cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. 3) A multitude of isoforms of cell-bound or secreted receptors are produced by the same gene. The gene structure of these receptors revealed two major mechanisms that are responsible for the formation of the diverse forms: alternative mRNA splicing, r...
458 citations
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TL;DR: The ability to control the expression of genes encoding these molecules and to target specific cell types provides opportunities to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic agents to induce the regression of the lesions and, possibly, to prevent their formation.
Abstract: Atherosclerosis, the principal cause of heart attack, stroke and gangrene of the extremities, is responsible for 50% of all mortality in the USA, Europe and Japan. The lesions result from an excessive, inflammatory-fibroproliferative response to various forms of insult to the endothelium and smooth muscle of the artery wall. A large number of growth factors, cytokines and vasoregulatory molecules participate in this process. Our ability to control the expression of genes encoding these molecules and to target specific cell types provides opportunities to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic agents to induce the regression of the lesions and, possibly, to prevent their formation.
10,861 citations
TL;DR: Understanding of the complex signaling networks downstream from RTKs and how alterations in these networks are translated into cellular responses provides an important context for therapeutically countering the effects of pathogenic RTK mutations in cancer and other diseases.
7,056 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the MMPs have functions other than promotion of invasion, have substrates other than components of the extracellular matrix, and that they function before invasion in the development of cancer.
Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have long been associated with cancer-cell invasion and metastasis. This provided the rationale for clinical trials of MMP inhibitors, unfortunately with disappointing results. We now know, however, that the MMPs have functions other than promotion of invasion, have substrates other than components of the extracellular matrix, and that they function before invasion in the development of cancer. With this knowledge in hand, can we rethink the use of MMP inhibitors in the clinic?
5,860 citations
TL;DR: Recent advances shed light on how the structure and function of the MMPs are related and on how their transcription, secretion, activation, inhibition, localization, and clearance are controlled.
Abstract: ▪ Abstract The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute a multigene family of over 25 secreted and cell surface enzymes that process or degrade numerous pericellular substrates. Their targets include other proteinases, proteinase inhibitors, clotting factors, chemotactic molecules, latent growth factors, growth factor–binding proteins, cell surface receptors, cell-cell adhesion molecules, and virtually all structural extracellular matrix proteins. Thus MMPs are able to regulate many biologic processes and are closely regulated themselves. We review recent advances that help to explain how MMPs work, how they are controlled, and how they influence biologic behavior. These advances shed light on how the structure and function of the MMPs are related and on how their transcription, secretion, activation, inhibition, localization, and clearance are controlled. MMPs participate in numerous normal and abnormal processes, and there are new insights into the key substrates and mechanisms responsible for regula...
3,839 citations
TL;DR: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific mitogen in vitro and an angiogenic inducer in a variety of in vivo models and is implicated in intraocular neovascularization associated with diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific mitogen in vitro and an angiogenic inducer in a variety of in vivo models. Hypoxia has been shown to be a major inducer of VEGF gene transcription. The tyrosine kinases Flt-1 (VEGFR-1) and Flk-1/KDR (VEGFR-2) are high-affinity VEGF receptors. The role of VEGF in developmental angiogenesis is emphasized by the finding that loss of a single VEGF allele results in defective vascularization and early embryonic lethality. VEGF is critical also for reproductive and bone angiogenesis. Substantial evidence also implicates VEGF as a mediator of pathological angiogenesis. In situ hybridization studies demonstrate expression of VEGF mRNA in the majority of human tumors. Anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies and other VEGF inhibitors block the growth of several tumor cell lines in nude mice. Clinical trials with various VEGF inhibitors in a variety of malignancies are ongoing. Very recently, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab; Avastin) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy. Furthermore, VEGF is implicated in intraocular neovascularization associated with diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
3,414 citations