Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 8, 2026

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
06:35

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth

Published on: December 22, 2020

Identification of a novel human fibroblast growth factor and characterization of its role in oncogenesis

M Jeffers1, R Shimkets, S Prayaga

  • 1CuraGen Corporation, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA. mjeffers@curagen.com

Cancer Research
|April 18, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered FGF-20, a novel fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family member, through genomic DNA mining. This new oncogene, FGF-20, promotes cell growth and tumor formation, suggesting a role in human cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is crucial in development and disease.
  • Malignancy is linked to dysregulation of FGF pathways.
  • Genomic DNA mining is a powerful tool for discovering novel genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel members of the human FGF family.
  • To characterize the function and potential oncogenic role of a newly discovered FGF, designated FGF-20.

Main Methods:

  • Homology-based genomic DNA mining to identify novel genes.
  • cDNA isolation and sequence analysis to confirm gene prediction.
  • Expression analysis in normal tissues and cancer cell lines.
  • Functional assays using recombinant FGF-20 protein and cell culture models.
  • In vivo tumorigenicity studies in nude mice.

Main Results:

  • A novel human FGF gene, FGF-20, was identified and characterized.
  • FGF-20 is expressed in normal brain (cerebellum) and certain cancer cell lines.
  • Recombinant FGF-20 stimulates DNA synthesis and interacts with FGF receptors.
  • Ectopic FGF-20 expression transforms NIH 3T3 cells in vitro and induces tumors in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • FGF-20 is a novel oncogene with a potential role in human cancer development.
  • Genomic DNA mining is effective for discovering cancer-related genes.
  • FGF-20 represents a new target for cancer research and therapeutic strategies.

More Related Videos

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS06:04

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS

Published on: January 7, 2016

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts09:43

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

Published on: August 1, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...