FGF signaling in skeletal development

The fibroblast growth factor receptor family consists of four receptor tyro sine kinases which bind with varying affinity and specificity to a family o f at least fifteen polypeptide ligands. The receptors and ligands perform m any essential functions during growth, development and repair. Recent disco veries show that a growing number of skeletal abnormalities result from mut ations in the fibroblast growth factor receptors. These findings have led t o a greater understanding of the rob of fibroblast growth factor signaling during skeletogenesis and have focused research interests on the effects of fibroblast growth factors on endochondral and intramembranous bone develop ment.