Biomaterial Database

Fibroblast growth factors as multifunctional signaling factors. 1999

G Szebenyi, and J F Fallon

Anatomy Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family consists of at least 15 structurally related polypeptide growth factors. Their expression is controlled at the levels of transcription, mRNA stability, and translation. The bioavailability of FGFs is further modulated by posttranslational processing and regulated protein trafficking. FGFs bind to receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs), heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), and a cysteine-rich FGF receptor (CFR). FGFRs are required for most biological activities of FGFs. HSPGs alter FGF-FGFR interactions and CFR participates in FGF intracellular transport. FGF signaling pathways are intricate and are intertwined with insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, bone morphogenetic protein, and vertebrate homologs of Drosophila wingless activated pathways. FGFs are major regulators of embryonic development: They influence the formation of the primary body axis, neural axis, limbs, and other structures. The activities of FGFs depend on their coordination of fundamental cellular functions, such as survival, replication, differentiation, adhesion, and motility, through effects on gene expression and the cytoskeleton.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D002454	Cell Differentiation	Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs.	Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002455	Cell Division	The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION.	M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D002470	Cell Survival	The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability.	Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D005260	Female		Females
D005346	Fibroblast Growth Factors	A family of small polypeptide growth factors that share several common features including a strong affinity for HEPARIN, and a central barrel-shaped core region of 140 amino acids that is highly homologous between family members. Although originally studied as proteins that stimulate the growth of fibroblasts this distinction is no longer a requirement for membership in the fibroblast growth factor family.	DNA Synthesis Factor,Fibroblast Growth Factor,Fibroblast Growth Regulatory Factor,Growth Factor, Fibroblast,Growth Factors, Fibroblast
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006133	Growth Substances	Signal molecules that are involved in the control of cell growth and differentiation.	Mitogens, Endogenous,Endogenous Mitogens
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia