Altered FGF signalling in congenital craniofacial and skeletal disorders

Shahida Moosa1, Bernd Wollnik1

  • 1Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Insights

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling regulates development. Mutations in FGF receptors (FGFRs) cause craniofacial and skeletal disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathway is crucial for embryonic and adult regulatory processes.
  • Dysregulation of FGF signaling is linked to congenital disorders and cancer.
  • FGFs mediate cellular functions via FGF receptors (FGFRs), a tyrosine kinase receptor subfamily.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review major developmental craniofacial and skeletal disorders.
  • To highlight the role of altered FGF signaling in these conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing genetic and functional research on FGF signaling.
  • Focus on craniofacial and skeletal developmental disorders.

Main Results:

  • Four types of FGFRs exist in humans.
  • Mutations in FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3 are associated with human developmental disorders.
  • FGFs/FGFRs are critical for both endochondral and intramembranous bone development.

Conclusions:

  • Altered FGF signaling pathways contribute significantly to craniofacial and skeletal developmental abnormalities.
  • Understanding FGF/FGFR roles is key to addressing these disorders.

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