| Description: |
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) [, ]are a family of multifunctional proteins, often referred to as 'promiscuous growth factors' due to their diverse actions on multiple cell types [, ]. FGFs are mitogens, which stimulate growth or differentiation of cells of mesodermal or neuroectodermal origin. The function of FGFs in developmental processes include mesoderm induction, anterior-posterior patterning, limb development, and neural induction and development. In mature tissues, they are involved in diverse processes including keratinocyte organisation and wound healing [, , , , , ]. FGF involvement is critical during normal development of both vertebrates and invertebrates, and irregularities in their function leads to a range of developmental defects [, , , ]. Fibroblast growth factors are heparin-binding proteins and interactions with cell-surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to be essential for FGF signal transduction. FGFs have internal pseudo-threefold symmetry (β-trefoil topology) []. There are currently over 20 different FGF family members that have been identified in mammals, all of which are structurally related signaling molecules [, ]. They exert their effects through four distinct membrane fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs), FGFR1 to FGFR4 [], which belong to the tyrosine kinase superfamily. Upon binding to FGF, the receptors dimerize and their intracellular tyrosine kinase domains become active [].This entry represents fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20). It is involved in embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, and tumour growth and invasion [, , ]. FGF20 is expressed in normal brain, particularly the cerebellum [], and has been shown to enhance the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in vitro []. |
