The Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF), also known as FGF7

FGF7

Keratinocyte growth factor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FGF7 gene.-Further reading:...

, is a growth factor

Growth factor

A growth factor is a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating cellular growth, proliferation and cellular differentiation. Usually it is a protein or a steroid hormone. Growth factors are important for regulating a variety of cellular processes....

 present in the epithelialization-phase of wound healing

Wound healing

Wound healing, or cicatrisation, is an intricate process in which the skin repairs itself after injury. In normal skin, the epidermis and dermis exists in a steady-state equilibrium, forming a protective barrier against the external environment...

. In this phase, keratinocytes are covering the wound, forming the epithelium

Epithelium

Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...

.

KGF is a small signaling molecule that binds to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b (FGFR2b). For signalling to occur, a dimer is required between two FGF:FGFR complexes that is linked together by a molecule of heparin.

There are 23 known FGFs, and 4 FGF receptors. FGF:FGFR binding is complex and regulated by a variety of mechanisms in a tissue specific manner.

FGF10 is also known as "Keratinocyte growth factor 2".

External links

• http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt/fgf/1fq9_files/side.jpg
• http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt/fgf/1fq9.htm