Chimeric fibroblast growth factor proteins, nucleic acid molecules, and uses thereof

The present invention generally relates to a chimeric fibroblast growth factor protein, and in particular, to a chimeric fibroblast growth factor protein which does not have an absolute requirement for heparan sulfate for biological activity. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such a protein, and to therapeutic methods of using such a protein. A chimeric fibroblast growth factor protein and recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding the same are disclosed. The chimeric fibroblast growth factor protein is characterized by: fibroblast growth factor biological activity in the absence of heparan sulfate and, entry into a living cell in the absence of a receptor that binds to FGF. Also disclosed are a method of making the chimeric fibroblast growth factor protein and methods of using the chimeric fibroblast growth factor protein to promote fibroblast growth factor activity in a cell and to enhance a biological process associated with fibroblast growth factor activity.