Abstract: Conjugates comprising bFGF or other FGF polypeptides and a cytotoxic agent are prepared. The cytotoxic agent can be a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), such as saporin, which is attached to bFGF through a chemical bond, or the composition can be prepared as a recombinant DNA chimera. The conjugates are used to specifically target cells, in vivo and in vitro, which express FGF receptors. The cytotoxicity of the conjugates is proportional to the number of receptors expressed by a cell type. The conjugate is useful to effectively treat mammals, and in particular human patients, afflicted with tumorigenic conditions, such as human melanomas, human ovarian carcinomas, teratocarcinomas and neuroblastomas, and other FGF-mediated tumors caused by a proliferation of cells which express FGF receptors.

Abstract: Substantially pure mammalian basic fibroblast growth factors are produced. The amino acid residue sequences of bovine and human bFGF are disclosed as well as a DNA chain encoding the polypeptide of the bovine species. By appropriately inserting a synthesized DNA chain into a cloning vector and using the cloning vector to transform cells, synthetic bovin bFGF can be obtained from transformed cell lines, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.

Abstract: Substantially pure mammalian basic fibroblast growth factors are produced. The amino acid residue sequences of bovine and human bFGF are disclosed as well as a DNA chain encoding the polypeptide of the bovine species. By appropriately inserting a synthesized DNA chain into a cloning vector and using the cloning vector to transform cells, synthetic bFGF can be obtained from transformed cell lines, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.

Abstract: Antagonists to basic fibroblast growth factor, a 146 amino acid residue polypeptide, are produced. These antagonists are generally between 4 and 45 residues in length and are characterized by their ability to interact with the FGF receptor and/or inhibit and therefore modulate endothelial and other cell growth. One group of these antagonists includes the four residue sequence which forms basic FGF(36-39), namely Pro-Asp-Gly-Arg. Another of these antagonists includes the sequence of bovine basic FGF(106-115), namely Tyr-Arg-Ser-Arg-Lys-Tyr-Ser-Ser-Trp-Tyr. These peptides are also antagonistic to acidic FGF and other members of the family of FGF peptides. They are effective to combat FGF-promoted mitosis in melanomas and the like.