FGF16
Encyclopedia
Fibroblast growth factor 16 is a protein
which in humans is encoded by the FGF16 gene
.
(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. The rat homolog is predominantly expressed in embryonic brown adipose tissue and has significant mitogenic activity, which suggests a role in proliferation of embryonic brown adipose tissue
.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which in humans is encoded by the FGF16 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fibroblast growth factorFibroblast growth factor
Fibroblast growth factors, or FGFs, are a family of growth factors involved in angiogenesis, wound healing, and embryonic development. The FGFs are heparin-binding proteins and interactions with cell-surface associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to be essential for FGF signal...
(FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic
Mitogen
A mitogen is a chemical substance that encourages a cell to commence cell division, triggering mitosis. A mitogen is usually some form of a protein.Mitogenesis is the induction of mitosis, typically via a mitogen....
and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development
Embryogenesis
Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops, until it develops into a fetus.Embryogenesis starts with the fertilization of the ovum by sperm. The fertilized ovum is referred to as a zygote...
, cell growth, morphogenesis
Morphogenesis
Morphogenesis , is the biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape...
, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. The rat homolog is predominantly expressed in embryonic brown adipose tissue and has significant mitogenic activity, which suggests a role in proliferation of embryonic brown adipose tissue
Brown adipose tissue
Brown adipose tissue or brown fat is one of two types of fat or adipose tissue found in mammals....
.