FGF-20, a novel neurotrophic factor, preferentially expressed in the substantia nigra pars compacta of rat brain

We have isolated cDNA encoding a novel FGF (212 amino acids) from rat brain . Because this is the 20th documented member of the FGF family, we tentativ ely term it FGF-20, Among FGF family members, FGF-20 is most similar to FGF -9 and FGF-16 (70 and 62% amino acid identity, respectively). Human FGF-20 gene was found in the human genomic sequence mapped to the 8p21.3-p22 regio n. Human FGF-20 is highly identical to rat FGF-20 (95% amino acid identity) . FGF-20 mRNA was preferentially expressed in rat brain among the adult maj or tissues examined. The localization of FGF-20 mRNA in rat brain was also examined by in situ hybridization. FGF-20 mRNA was preferentially expressed in the substantia nigra pars compacta. To examine the biological activity of FGF-20, recombinant rat FGF-20 was produced by insect cells infected wit h recombinant baculovirus containing rat FGF-20 cDNA, Recombinant rat FGF-2 0 enhanced the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. The present resul ts indicate that FGF-20 is a novel neurotrophic factor preferentially expre ssed in the substantia nigra pars compacts of rat brain. (C) 2000 Academic Press.