FGFs in endochondral skeletal development.
The mammalian skeleton forms and grows through two developmental pathways: membranous ossification, which gives rise to calvarial bones and the distal clavicle, and endochondral ossification, which is responsible for the bones of the limbs, girdles, vertebrae, face, base of the skull and the medial clavicle. The regulation of both pathways is extremely complex, and the rules that govern it are still emerging. However, it has become clear that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their cognate receptors (FGFRs) play essential roles. This review focuses on the roles of FGFs and FGFRs in endochondral skeletal development, with special attention given to concepts that have emerged in the past few years.
Horton
William A
WA
Research Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. wah@shcc.org
Degnin
Catherine R
CR
D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D012863:Skeleton
D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors