FGF-8a

FGF-8 is a heparin-binding growth factor belonging to the FGF family. Proteins of this family play a central role during prenatal development, postnatal growth and regeneration of a variety of tissues, by promoting cellular proliferation and differentiation. There are 4 known alternate spliced forms of FGF8; FGF-8a, FGF-8b, FGF-8e and FGF-8f. The human and murine FGF-8a and FGF-8b are identical, unlike human and mouse FGF-8e and FGF-8f, which are 98% identical. FGF-8 targets mammary carcinoma cells and other cells expressing the FGF receptors. CHO cell-derived recombinant human FGF-8a is a 21.2 kDa protein consisting of 182 amino acid residues.