FGF-5 is a secreted, heparin-binding protein with a molecular weight of approximately 27.7 kDa . It is expressed in various tissues, including the mesenchyme, skeletal muscles, central nervous system, and hair follicles . The human recombinant form of FGF-5 is typically produced in Escherichia coli and is available as a lyophilized powder suitable for cell culture .
FGF-5 plays a crucial role in several physiological processes:
Hair Growth Regulation: FGF-5 is known to regulate the hair growth cycle. Its inactivation in mice leads to the angora phenotype, characterized by long hair . In humans, FGF-5 causes the regression of hair follicles, thereby controlling hair length .
Neurotrophic Activity: In the peripheral nervous system, FGF-5 acts as a muscle-derived trophic factor for motor neurons. It demonstrates neurotrophic activity in vivo and influences astroglial characteristics in vitro .
Oncogenic Potential: FGF-5 functions as an oncogene in glioblastoma due to its autocrine and paracrine functions. Its expression is elevated in human astrocytic brain tumors, which is linked to increased malignancy .
Cell Differentiation and Proliferation: FGF-5 promotes cell differentiation and proliferation by binding to FGF receptor 1 and FGF receptor 2 (FGFR1 and FGFR2, respectively) . It plays an important regulatory role in skeletal muscle development and has been identified in neurons of the limbic system, especially those of the olfactory bulb and pyramidal cells of the hippocampus .
Human recombinant FGF-5 is widely used in research and biotechnology. It has been utilized for the induction of differentiation in various embryonic stem cell lines and for studying the mechanisms of hair growth and neurotrophic activity . Additionally, FGF-5’s role in oncogenesis makes it a potential target for cancer research and therapy .