Fibroblast Growth Factors, FGFs

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are a family of cell signalling proteins produced by macrophages; FGF are involved in a wide variety of processes, most notably as crucial elements for normal development in animal cells. Any irregularities in their function lead to a range of developmental defects. These growth factors typically act as systemic or locally circulating molecules of extracellular origin that activate cell surface receptors. FGFs are multifunctional proteins with a wide variety of effects; they are most commonly mitogens but also have regulatory, morphological, and endocrine effects. A defining property of FGFs is that they bind to heparin and to heparan sulfate.