FGF2 Binding, Signaling, Angiogenesis Are Modulated by Heparanase in Metastatic Melanoma Cells 1

Heparanase (HPSE) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) are critical regulators of melanoma angiogenesis and metastasis. Elevated HPSE expression contributes to melanoma progression; however, further augmentation of HPSE presence can inhibit tumorigenicity. HPSE enzymatically cleaves heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains (HS) from proteoglycans. HS act as both low-affinity FGF2 receptors and coreceptors in the formation of high-affinity FGF2 receptors. We have investigated HPSE's ability to modulate FGF2 activity throug