The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein was isolated as a secreted factor that exhibits a growth-stimulating effect on cultured glial cells. In nervous system, this protein is produced mainly by neurons and may be important for glial cell development. Expression of the mouse homolog of this gene was found to be dependent on Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Mice lacking the homolog gene displayed a male-to-female sex reversal phenotype, which suggested a role in testicular embryogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],disease:The continuous overexpression of GAFS may lead to malignant cell growth caused by an autocrine loop.,function:May have a role in glial cell growth and differentiation during development, gliosis during repair and regeneration of brain tissue after damage, differentiation and survival of neuronal cells, and growth stimulation of glial tumors.,PTM:N-glycosylated.,PTM:Three molecular species were found (30 kDa, 29 kDa and 25 kDa), cleaved at Leu-4, Val-13 and Ser-34 respectively. The smaller ones might be products of proteolytic digestion. Furthermore, there may be a functional signal sequence in the 30 kDa species which is uncleavable in the secretion step.,similarity:Belongs to the heparin-binding growth factors family.,subunit:Monomer.,tissue specificity:Glial cells.,
