DESCRIPTION

Background:

FGF-7 (fibroblast growth factor-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].FGF-7 promotes cell migration and invasion, and mediates melanocyte transfer to keratinocytes upon UVB radiation [2]. It has been used ectopically to avoid chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in patients with hematological malignancies. Deletion of FGF-7 affects kidney development, producing abnormally small ureteric buds and fewer nephrons [3] . It also impedes hair follicle differentiation [4]. The 194 amino acid (aa) FGF-7 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.