Initiation to end point: the multiple roles of fibroblast growth factors in neural development

Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007 Aug;8(8):583-96. doi: 10.1038/nrn2189.

Abstract

From a wealth of experimental findings, derived from both in vitro and in vivo experiments, it is becoming clear that fibroblast growth factors regulate processes that are central to all aspects of nervous system development. Some of these functions are well known, whereas others, such as the roles of these proteins in axon guidance and synaptogenesis, have been established only recently. The emergent picture is one of remarkable economy, in which this family of ligands is deployed and redeployed at successive developmental stages to sculpt the nervous system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / chemistry
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nervous System / embryology*
  • Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors