FGF16

FGF16 or Fibroblast Growth Factor 16 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FGF16 gene. It is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, which is involved in a variety of biological processes.

Function

FGF16 is a secreted protein that binds to FGFR 1c, FGFR 2c, FGFR 3c, and FGFR 4. It is involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth, and invasion. FGF16 has been shown to promote cardiac proliferation and repair.

Structure

The FGF16 protein is composed of 207 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 23.3 kDa. It contains a signal peptide at the N-terminus, which is cleaved off during maturation. The mature protein has a core region that is highly conserved among all FGF family members.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the FGF16 gene have been associated with a variety of diseases, including heart disease and cancer. In particular, overexpression of FGF16 has been observed in several types of cancer, suggesting that it may play a role in tumor progression.

Research

Research on FGF16 has focused on its role in cardiac development and repair, as well as its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer. Studies have shown that FGF16 can promote cardiac cell proliferation and improve cardiac function following injury.

See Also

• Fibroblast growth factor
• FGFR 1c
• FGFR 2c
• FGFR 3c
• FGFR 4