OUTLINE STRUCTURES FOR THE EXTRACELLULAR DOMAINS OF THE FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTORS

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have three extracellular do mains that belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily. We have determine d the outline structures for these domains on the basis of their homol ogy to the I set molecule telokin. The outline structures describe the relative positions of residues in each domain; their major secondary structures, and the extent to which residues are accessible to the sol vent. They also provide the basis of a coherent description of the cha nge in recognition properties that occur when the IIIb and IIIc exons are switched and of the effects of mutations in FGFRs that cause genet ic diseases.