Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1), also designated acidic FGF, and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), also designated basic FGF, are members of a family of growth factors that stimulate proliferation of cells of mesenchymal, epithelial and neuroectodermal origin. Additional members of the FGF family include the oncogenes FGF-3 (Int2) and FGF-4 (hst/Kaposi), FGF-5, FGF-6, FGF-7 (KGF), FGF-8 (AIGF), FGF-9 (GAF) and FGF-10 throµgh FGF-23. Members of the FGF family share 30-55% amino acid sequence identity and similar gene structure, and are capable of transforming cultured cells when overexpressed in trans- fected cells. Cellular receptors for FGFs are members of a second multigene family, including four tyrosine kinases designated Flg (FGFR-1), Bek (FGFR-L), TKF and FGFR-3.
