FGF-8b, carrier-free

FGF-8 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that was originally discovered as an androgen-induced growth factor essential for the androgen-dependent growth of mouse mammary carcinoma cells. The mouse FGF-8 primary transcript is alternatively spliced to generate at least 7 secreted isoforms that differ only at their amino terminis. The FGF-8 isoforms differentially activate the various alternatively spliced forms of fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 - 3, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4. FGF-8b has been shown to activate the ‘c’ splice form of FGF R2, FGF R3, and FGF R4. During mouse development, expression of FGF-8 was restricted to embryonic days 9 through 13. The pattern of FGF-8 expression during mouse development suggests a role for FGF-8 in multiple regions of ectodermal differentiation in the post-gastrulation mouse embryo. These include a role in outgrowth and patterning of the face, limbs, and central nervous system of the vertebrate. The FGF-8 locus has been mapped to mouse chromosome 19 and human chromosome 10 (MacArthur, C.A. et al., 1995, Development, 121:3603 - 3613; Crossley, P.H. et al., 1996, Cell, 84:127 - 136).