Careless talk costs lives: fibroblast growth factor receptor signalling and the consequences of pathway malfunction

Trends Cell Biol. 2015 Apr;25(4):221-33. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.11.003. Epub 2014 Nov 29.

Abstract

Since its discovery 40 years ago, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) signalling has been found to regulate fundamental cellular behaviours in a wide range of cell types. FGFRs regulate development, homeostasis, and repair and are implicated in many disorders and diseases; and indeed, there is extensive potential for severe consequences, be they developmental, homeostatic, or oncogenic, should FGF-FGFR signalling go awry, so careful control of the pathway is critically important. In this review, we discuss the recent developments in the FGF field, highlighting how FGFR signalling works in normal cells, how it can go wrong, how frequently it is compromised, and how it is being targeted therapeutically.

Keywords: cancer; cell signalling; fibroblast growth factor; fibroblast growth factor receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Fusion
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors