Fibroblast Growth Factor

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) is a family of growth factors involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell growth, development, healing, and disease. The FGF family is characterized by a core of approximately 120 amino acids that form a beta-trefoil structure.

Structure and Function

Fibroblast Growth Factors are polypeptides that have a high affinity for heparin and heparan sulfate. They are characterized by a core of approximately 120 amino acids that form a beta-trefoil structure. This core is conserved across the FGF family, which is divided into seven subfamilies based on sequence similarity.

FGFs bind to FGF receptors (FGFRs), which are transmembrane tyrosine kinases. This binding leads to receptor dimerization and activation, triggering intracellular signaling pathways that regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration.

Role in Development

FGFs play a crucial role in embryonic development. They are involved in the formation of the mesoderm, the layer of cells that gives rise to tissues such as muscle, bone, and blood vessels. FGFs also regulate the development of the nervous system, the limb buds, and the lens of the eye.

Role in Healing

FGFs are involved in the process of wound healing. They stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing the extracellular matrix that forms the basis of connective tissue. FGFs also promote angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which is essential for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissue.

Role in Disease

Abnormalities in FGF signaling can lead to a variety of diseases. For example, mutations in the FGF receptor genes can cause skeletal disorders such as achondroplasia and craniosynostosis. Overexpression of FGFs has been implicated in the development of certain types of cancer, including lung, breast, and prostate cancer.

See Also

• Growth factor
• Heparin
• Angiogenesis
• Cancer