Fibroblast growth factors are a family of proteins involved in growth and differentiation in a wide range of contexts. They are found in a wide range of organisms, from nematodes to humans [2]. Most share an internal core region of high similarity, c ...
Fibroblast growth factors are a family of proteins involved in growth and differentiation in a wide range of contexts. They are found in a wide range of organisms, from nematodes to humans [2]. Most share an internal core region of high similarity, conserved residues in which are involved in binding with their receptors. On binding, they cause dimerisation of their tyrosine kinase receptors leading to intracellular signalling. There are currently four known tyrosine kinase receptors for fibroblast growth factors. These receptors can each bind several different members of this family. Members of this family have a beta trefoil structure. Most have N-terminal signal peptides and are secreted. A few lack signal sequences but are secreted anyway; still others also lack the signal peptide but are found on the cell surface and within the extracellular matrix. A third group remain intracellular [2]. They have central roles in development, regulating cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. On the other hand, they are important in tissue repair following injury in adult organisms [2].
