Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) homologous factors: New members of the FGF family implicated in nervous system development

摘要: Abstract Four new members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, referred to as homologous factors (FHFs), have been identified by a combination random cDNA sequencing, data base searches, and degenerate PCR. Pairwise comparisons between four FHFs show 58% 71% amino acid sequence identity, but each FHF shows less than 30% identity when compared with other FGFs. Like FGF-1 (acidic FGF) FGF-2 (basic FGF), lack classical signal contain clusters basic residues that can act nuclear localization signals. In transiently transfected 293 cells FHF-1 accumulates in nucleus is not secreted. Each expressed developing adult nervous systems, suggesting role for this branch FGF family system development function.