Developmental Biology: Topic: Fibroblast growtth factor (FGF). Their functioning!

What is Fibroblast growth factor? Accroding to 'wikipedia dictionary', "Fibroblast growth factors, or FGFs, are a family of growth factors involved in angiogenesis, wound healings, and embryonic development. The FGFs are heparin-binding proteins and interactions with cell-surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to be essential for FGF signal transduction."


Members FGF1 through FGF10 all bind fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs). FGF1 is also known as acidic, and FGF2 is also known as basic fibroblast growth factor. Members FGF11, FGF12, FGF13, and FGF14, also known as FGF homologous factors 1-4 (FHF1-FHF4), have been shown to have distinct functional differences compared to the FGFs. Although these factors possess remarkably similar sequence homology, they do not bind FGFRs and are involved in intracellular processes unrelated to the FGFs.

Receptors:
The mammalian fibroblast growth factor receptor family has 4 members, FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and FGFR4. The FGFRs consist of three extracellular immunoglobulin-type domains (D1-D3), a single-span trans-membrane domain and an intracellular split tyrosine kinase domain.

Function:
-  FGFs are important players in wound healing.
- FGF1 and FGF2 stimulate angiogenesis and the proliferation of fibroblasts that give rise to granulation tissue, which fills up a wound space/cavity early in the wound-healing process.
- FGFs are major determinants of neuronal survival both during development and during adulthood.
- In addition, FGF-1 and FGF-2 seem to be involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and processes attributed to learning and memory, at least in the hippocampus.
- FGF23 is produced by bone but acts on FGFR1-expressing kidney cells to regulate the synthesis of vitamin D and in turn affect calcium homeostasis.
- One important function of FGF1 and FGF2 is the promotion of endothelial cell proliferation and the physical organization of endothelial cells into tube-like structures.
- FGF is critical during normal development of both vertebrates and invertebrates and any irregularities in their function leads to a range of developmental defects.

References:
www.wikipedia.com