Description
Fibroblast Growth Factor- acidic (FGF-acidic), also known as FGF-1 and endothelial cell growth factor, is a member of the FGF family which currently contain 23 members. FGF acidic and basic, unlike the other members of the family, lack signal peptides and are apparently secreted by mechanisms other than the classical protein secretion pathway. FGF acidic has been detected in large amounts in the brain. Other cells known to express FGF acidic include hepatocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, CNS neurons, skeletal muscle cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, intestinal columnar epithelium cells and pituitary basophils and acidophils. As with other FGF’s, FGF acidic exhibits considerable species cross reactivity. FGF acidic and FGF basic stimulate the proliferation of all cells of mesodermal origin, and many cells of neuroectodermal, ectodermal and endodermal origin.