BFGF

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), also known as BFGF, is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. It is a highly specific chemotactic and mitogenic factor for many cell types, appears to be involved in remodeling damaged tissue, such as ulcer healing, vascular repair, traumatic brain injury (TBI). bFGF is a critical component of human embryonic stem cell culture medium. In addition, bFGF protein is a heparin-binding cationic protein involved in a variety of pathological conditions including angiogenesis and solid tumour growth. Thus, bFGF is regarded as a target for cancers chemopreventive and therapeutic strategies.

BFGF Related Areas

Neuroscience>>Axon Guidance>>FGF & Receptor>>bFGF/BFGF

Cancer>>Cancer Biomarkers>>bFGF/BFGF

Cancer>>Growth Factor & Receptor>>FGF & Receptor>>bFGF/BFGF

BFGF Alternative Names

BFGF, BFGF, FGFB, HBGF-2 [Homo sapiens]
bFGF, BFGF, Fgf-2, Fgfb, DN-452A22.6 [Mus musculus]

Summaries for BFGF

Entrez Gene summary for BFGF:

The BFGF protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) family. FGF family members bind heparin and possess broad mitogenic and angiogenic activities. This protein has been implicated in diverse biological processes, such as limb and nervous system development, wound healing, and tumor growth. The mRNA for this gene contains multiple polyadenylation sites, and is alternatively translated from non-AUG (CUG) and BFGF initiation codons, resulting in five different isoforms with distinct properties. The CUG-initiated isoforms are localized in the nucleus and are responsible for the intracrine effect, whereas, the AUG-initiated form is mostly cytosolic and is responsible for the paracrine and autocrine effects of this FGF.

OMIM - description for BFGF:

BFGF is a wide-spectrum mitogenic, angiogenic, and neurotrophic factor that is expressed at low levels in many tissues and cell types and reaches high concentrations in brain and pituitary. BFGF has been implicated in a multitude of physiologic and pathologic processes, including limb development, angiogenesis, wound healing, and tumor growth.

Wikipedia summary for BFGF:

Basic fibroblast growth factor, also known as bFGF, BFGF or FGF-β,[1] is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family.[

Human BFGF Protein General Information

 

• Protein names: Heparin-binding growth factor 2, Short name=BFGF
• Sequence length: 288 AA.
• Sequence similarities: Belongs to the heparin-binding growth factors family.
• Post-translational modification: Phosphorylation at Tyr-215 regulates BFGF unconventional secretion. Several N-termini starting at positions 94, 125, 126, 132, 143 and 162 have been identified by direct sequencing. Miscellaneous This protein binds heparin more strongly than does a BFGF.
• Subunit structure: Monomer. Homodimer. Interacts with FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4. Affinity between fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors is increased by heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans that function as coreceptors. Interacts with CSPG4, FGFBP1 and TEC. Found in a complex with FGFBP1, FGF1 and BFGF.
• Subcellular location: Secreted. Note: Exported from cells by an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi-independent mechanism. Unconventional secretion of BFGF occurs by direct translocation across the plasma membrane.
• Tissue specificity: Expressed in granulosa and cumulus cells. Expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, but not in non-cancerous liver tissue.

General information above from UniProt

Function for BFGF Protein

UniProtKB:

In normal tissue, basic fibroblast growth factor is present in basement membranes and in the subendothelial extracellular matrix of blood vessels. It stays membrane-bound as long as there is no signal peptide. It has been hypothesized that, during both wound healing of normal tissues and tumor development, the action of heparan sulfate-degrading enzymes activates bFGF, thus mediating the formation of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. bFGF has been shown in preliminary animal studies to protect the heart from injury associated with a heart attack, reducing tissue death and promoting improved function after reperfusion.[3] Recent evidence has shown that low levels of BFGF play a key role in the incidence of excessive anxiety. [3] Additionally, bFGF is a critical component of human embryonic stem cell culture medium; the growth factor is necessary for the cells to remain in an undifferentiated state, although the mechanisms by which it does this are poorly defined. It has been demonstrated to induce gremlin expression which in turn is known to inhibit the induction of differentiation by bone morphogenetic proteins.[4] It is necessary in mouse-feeder cell dependent culture systems, as well as in feeder and serum-free culture systems.[5]

Genatlas:

• BFGF heparin-binding fibroblast growth factor family
• inducer of anteroposterior neural pattern
• BFGF is involved in angiogenesis (myocardial cell proliferation)
• BFGF is required for a full proliferative response
• BFGF stimulating cell proliferation
• BFGF inducing the transient activation of JNK and stimulating the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells
• expression in tumor cell is an independent negative prognostic factor and coexpression of BFGF/VEGFR3 is strongly associated with poor survival in non small cell lung carcinomas
• EGF and BFGF, may play an important role in the fate decision of neural crest progenitors and in the development of the peripheral nervous system
• BFGF plays a role in inducing osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs by activating RUNX2 through MAPK-dependent- and oxidative stress-sensitive-signaling pathways
• activates JNK signaling pathway and may be partly responsible for the downregulation of keratocan and lumican expression in activated corneal keratocytes during corneal stromal wound healing

Homology for human BFGF

• ortholog to BFGF, Mus musculus
• ortholog to BFGF, Rattus norvegicus
• ortholog to BFGF, Pan troglodytes
• ortholog to BFGF, Danio rerio

Phenotype Information for BFGF

• Gene/Locus: FGF2, FGFB
• Phenotype: Fibroblast growth factor-13

Phenotype Information for BFGF from OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man)

Drugs for BFGF

Drugs for BFGF from TTD (Therapeutic Targets Database)