Fibroblast Growth Factors: Evolution

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGF receptors) constitute a signalling system conserved throughout animal evolution. Most members of the FGF family signal across adjacent tissue boundaries and are essential for a variety of developmental and physiological processes. One subfamily of vertebrate FGFs, that may have originated in primitive chordates, appears to have evolved novel functions within neurons. Another subfamily of FGFs has acquired hormone‐like properties, regulating physiological processes in the adult.

Fibroblast growth factor‐2, derived from cancer‐associated fibroblasts, stimulates growth and progression of human breast cancer cells via FGFR1 signaling

“…15 FGF2 is a classical survival factor in multiple cell types. 16 Inappropriate overexpression of FGF2 and its receptors causes aberrant cell proliferation in various malignancies including breast, ovarian, and skin cancer. 17 The biological activity of the FGF2 requires the presence of FGFRs to transduce specific signal transduction.…”