Rat bFGF, encoded by the FGF2 gene, is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Fibroblast growth factor was found in pituitary extracts in 1973 and then tested in a bioassay that caused fibroblasts to proliferate. After further fractionating the extract using acidic and basic pH, two different forms have isolated that named "acidic fibroblast growth factor" (FGF-1) and "basic fibroblast growth factor" (FGF-2). Rat bFGF shares 96 % amino acid sequence identity with human bFGF, and 98 % amino acid sequence identity with mouse. Affinity between bFGF and its receptors can be increased by heparin or heparan sulfate proteoglycan. bFGF plays an important role in the regulation of cell survival, cell division, angiogenesis, cell differentiation and cell migration. bFGF are also involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development , morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. Additionally, bFGF is frequently used for a critical component of cell culture medium, e.g., human embryonic stem cell culture medium, serum-free culture systems.
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