Heart-Specific Expression of FGF-16 and a Potential Role in Postnatal Cardioprotection

The fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a multifunctional family of 22 members in humans that are involved in embryonic development, wound healing, angiogenesis, metabolism and endocrine signaling pathways [1–5]. Most FGF proteins share 28 highly conserved and six identical amino acids that constitute an internal core region [5–7], and ten of these conserved amino acids can interact with FGF receptors (FGFRs) [8,9]. In spite of the family name and conserved residues, not all members stimulate fibroblast cell division, but all FGFs can bind heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG).
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Source Type: research