Home > A. Molecular pathology > FGFs
FGFs
Wednesday 3 September 2003
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) comprise a family of related polypeptides with broad mitogenic and cell survival activities.
The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is comprised of 22 ligands that bind and activate several FGF receptor (FGFRs) isoforms.
Critical roles for FGFs and FGFRs have been well-established during embryonic development.
For example, the FGF10/FGFR2IIIb axis has been linked to embryonic development of both the mammary and prostate glands.
Mouse models have suggested that this pathway also participates in postnatal development in the mammary and prostate glands.
These studies have provided novel insights into the mechanisms by which FGFs and FGFRs promote ductal outgrowth and branching morphogenesis.
Members
| FGF1 | FGF2 | FGF3 | FGF4 | FGF5 | FGF6 | FGF7 | FGF8 | FGF9 | FGF10 |
| FGF11 | FGF12 | FGF13 | FGF14 | FGF15 | FGF16 | FGF17 | FGF18 | FGF19 | FGF20 |
| FGF21 | FGF22 | FGF23 |
Pathology
| FGF3 | - | MIM.602115 | - | inner ear agenesis, microtia, and microdontia |
| FGF10 | 5p13-p12 | MIM.602115 | lacrimal gland aplasia | |
| FGF10 | 5p13-p12 | MIM.602115 | salivary gland aplasia | |
| FGF13 | Xq26.3 | MIM.300070 | ||
| FGF14 | 13q34 | MIM.601515 | autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia | |
| FGF23 | 12p13.3 | MIM.605380 | autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets | MIM.193100 |
Oncogenesis
In addition to the established roles of FGFs in development, aberrant activation of the FGF pathway has been linked to tumor progression in both breast and prostate cancer.
Recent studies have linked FGFR1 expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms in FGFR2 to breast cancer. Furthermore, novel pre-clinical models have demonstrated the ability of FGFRs to promote numerous aspects of breast and prostate cancer.
See also
FGF signaling
FGFRs
References
Fibroblast growth factors in development and cancer: insights from the mammary and prostate glands. Schwertfeger KL. Curr Drug Targets. 2009 Jul;10(7):632-44. PMID: 19601767
Pauws E, Stanier P. FGF signalling and SUMO modification: new players in the aetiology of cleft lip and/or palate. Trends Genet. 2007 Dec;23(12):631-40. PMID: 17981355
Lavine KJ, Ornitz DM. Fibroblast growth factors and Hedgehogs: at the heart of the epicardial signaling center. Trends Genet. 2008 Jan;24(1):33-40. PMID: 18054407
Javerzat S, Auguste P, Bikfalvi A. The role of fibroblast growth factors in vascular development. Trends Mol Med. 2002 Oct;8(10):483-9. PMID: 12383771