Fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4) is a heparin-binding growth factor and member of the FGF family, which controls several physiological and pathological development processes, including cell growth, cell survival, and morphogenesis. FGF-4 is expressed during embryo development and in several tissues during the adult life, and binds both receptors FGFR 1c, 2c, 3c, and 4. By promoting cell differentiation, FGF-4 plays a central role during prenatal development and tissue regeneration, but can also have a pathological role as oncogene in tumor growth.
