Human FGF7

KGF (keratinocyte growth factor), also known as FGF-7 (fibroblast growth factor-7), is one of 22 known members of the mouse FGF family of secreted proteins that plays a key role in development, morphogenesis, angiogenesis, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. KGF expression is restricted to cells of mesenchymal origin. KGF speeds wound healing by being dramatically upregulated in response to damage to skin or internal structures that results in high local concentrations of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1 and TNF-alpha. The 194 amino acid (aa) KGF precursor contains a 31 aa signal sequence and, like all other FGFs, an ~120 aa beta -trefoil scaffold that includes receptor- and heparin-binding sites. KGF signals only through the IIIb splice form of the tyrosine kinase receptor, FGF R2 (FGF R2-IIIb/KGF R) _1-5_.