Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) (FGF1)

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), also known as acidic fibroblast growth factor, is a versatile signaling protein that belongs to the heparin-binding growth factor family (UniProt P05230). It is unique among the FGF family for its ability to bind and activate all four tyrosine kinase FGF receptors (FGFR1, 2, 3, and 4), making it a potent regulator of cell growth, differentiation, and survival (PubMed: 11087100). The heparin-binding domain of FGF1 is a critical structural feature that mediates its interaction with heparan sulfate proteoglycans, which act as essential co-receptors to stabilize the FGF-FGFR complex and trigger intracellular signaling (PubMed: 15591318). In clinical contexts, FGF1 is a target for therapeutic intervention in wound healing and cardiovascular repair due to its pro-angiogenic and mitogenic properties (PubMed: 22403074). Recent research has also identified FGF1 as a potent metabolic regulator, with engineered non-mitogenic variants showing promise in treating type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by improving insulin sensitivity without the risk of tumor promotion (PubMed: 25043058).

Other names

Acidic fibroblast growth factoraFGFHeparin-binding growth factor 1HBGF-1FGFABeta-endothelial cell growth factorAcidic fibroblast growth factor heparin-binding domain

Agonism of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1-4) facilitated by heparin or heparan sulfate proteoglycans to activate downstream MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways (PubMed: 15591318).