Description
Fibroblast Growth Factor 3 (FGF-3) belongs to the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. All FGF family members are heparin-binding growth factors with a core 120 amino acid (aa) FGF domain that allows for a common tertiary structure. FGFs are expressed during embryonic development and in restricted adult tissues. They act on cells of mesodermal and neuroectodermal origin to regulate diverse physiologic functions including angiogenesis, cell growth, pattern formation, embryonic development, metabolic regulation, cell migration, neurotrophic effects and tissue repair. Signaling receptors for FGFs are type I transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases belonging to the Ig superfamily. Four distinct but related classes of FGF receptors, FGF R1, 2, 3, and 4, exist. Through alternative splicing, multiple isoforms for FGF R1, 2 and 3, with distinct ligand recognition profiles, are also generated.