Fibroblast growth factor 16 (FGF16)

Fibroblast growth factor 16 (FGF16) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, a group of proteins with broad mitogenic and cell survival activities. FGF16 is a secreted signaling protein involved in embryonic development, cell proliferation, tissue morphogenesis, and is especially important for heart development. It binds to and signals through specific fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) to regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation and proper heart formation. Mutations in FGF16 have been linked to congenital abnormalities such as metacarpal 4-5 fusion and brachydactyly. While FGF16 itself is not a direct therapeutic target at present, modulation of the broader FGF/FGFR signaling axis is of substantial biomedical interest in cancer, developmental disorders, and tissue regeneration[2][3][1].

Other names

FGF-16MF4metacarpal 4-5 fusionFGFs

Drugs targeting the fibroblast growth factor pathway (e.g., FGFR inhibitors) may block *growth factor receptor binding* and downstream effects on cell proliferation and differentiation, but this is non-selective for FGF16[2][3].