Recombinant Human KGF/FGF7

Fibroblast growth factor-7(FGF-7) is one of 22 known members of the mouse FGF family of secreted proteins that plays a key role in development, morphogenesis, angiogenesis, wound healing, and tumorigenesis ^[1-4]. KGF expression is restricted to cells of mesenchymal origin. When secreted, it acts as a paracrine growth factor for nearby epithelial cells ^[1]. KGF speeds wound healing by being dramatically upregulated in response to damage to skin or internal structures that results in high local concentrations of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1 and TNF-alpha ^{[2, 5]}. KGF promotes cell mig -ration and invasion, and mediates melanocyte transfer to keratinocytes upon UVB radiation ^{[6, 7]}. It has been used ectopically to avoid chemotherapy -induced oral mucositis in patients with hematological malignancies ^[1]. Deletion of KGF affects kidney development, producing abnormally small ureteric buds and fewer nephrons ^[8]. It also impedes hair follicle differentiation ^[9]. The 194 amino acid (aa) KGF precursor contains a 31 aa signal sequence and, like all other FGFs, an ~120 aa beta -trefoil scaffold that includes receptor- and heparin-binding sites. KGF signals only through the IIIb splice form of the tyrosine kinase receptor, FGF R2 (FGF R2-IIIb/KGF R) ^[10]. Receptor dimerization requires an octameric or larger heparin or heparin sulfate proteoglycan ^[11]. FGF-10, also called KGF2, shares 51% aa identity and similar function to KGF, but shows more limited expression than KGF and uses an additional receptor, FGF R2-IIIc ^[12]. Following receptor engagement, KGF is typically degraded, while FGF-10 is recycled ^[12]. Mature human KGF, which is active across species, shares 98% aa sequence identity with bovine, equine, ovine and canine, 96% with mouse and porcine, and 92% with rat KGF, respectively.

Reference

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[4]. Mason, I.J. et al. (1994) Mech. Dev. 45:15.

[5]. Geer, D.J. et al. (2005) Am. J. Pathol. 167:1575.

[6]. Niu, J. et al. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282:6001.

[7]. Cardinali, G. et al. (2005) J. Invest. Dermatol. 125:1190.

[8]. Qiao, J. et al. (1999) Development 126:547.

[9]. Guo, L. et al. (1996) Genes Dev. 10:165.

[10]. de Georgi, V. et al. (2007) Dermatol. Clin. 25:477.

[11]. Hsu, Y-R. et al. (1999) Biochemistry 38:2523.

[12]. Belleudi, F. et al. (2007) Traffic 8:1854.