Analysis Note

The biological activity is measured using a 3-day MTT assay.

Application

A natural mitogenic growth factor used in cell culture applications to study cell signaling and to promote fibroblast and endothelial cell growth and survival.

Fibroblast Growth Factor from bovine pituitary has been used in in vitro testicular cell culture. It has also been used as a component of myogenic culture medium.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) actively participate in cellular responses including embryogenesis and organogenesis. It specifically controls cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. FGF is known to regulate nervous system functions, tissue repair mechanism and wound healing. It also controls angiogenesis of tumor cells. Abnormal FGF mediated signaling induces tumor angiogenesis, by stimulating cancer cell proliferation and survival. FGFs carries out its function by mediating through four receptor tyrosine kinases : FGF-receptors FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4.

General description

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are glycoproteins concealed in the extracellular matrix and cell surface. There are around 22 different types of FGFs known. These factors weigh in the range of 17 to 34kDa and they possess a conserved sequence of 120 amino acids.

Physical form

Lyophilized from a 0.2 µm filtered solution in phosphate buffered saline containing 0.1 mg/ml BSA.

Preparation Note

Purified glands by a modification of the method of Gospodarowicz.

Quality

Although the major mitogenic component of this product is FGF2, the activity per unit weight of protein is less than that of purified FGF2.