FGFRreceptors

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFRs) are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases that play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, migration, and survival. There are four main members of the FGFR family: FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and FGFR4. These receptors are activated by binding to fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), a large family of secreted signaling proteins. Upon FGF binding, FGFRs dimerize, initiating a cascade of intracellular signaling events. These signals ultimately regulate gene expression, influencing a wide range of developmental and physiological functions.

FGFRs are expressed in a diverse array of tissues and play critical roles throughout embryonic development and in adult tissue homeostasis. For instance, they are involved in the development of the nervous system, limbs, and cardiovascular system. Aberrant FGFR signaling, often due to mutations in the FGFR genes or dysregulation of FGF ligands, has been implicated in numerous human diseases. These include various cancers, where FGFRs can act as oncogenes promoting tumor growth and metastasis, as well as developmental disorders such as achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism caused by a mutation in FGFR3. The intricate roles of FGFRs in both normal development and disease pathogenesis make them significant targets for therapeutic intervention.