FGF signaling in skeletal development.

The fibroblast growth factor receptor family consists of four receptor tyrosine kinases which bind with varying affinity and specificity to a family of at least fifteen polypeptide ligands. The receptors and ligands perform many essential functions during growth, development and repair. Recent discoveries show that a growing number of skeletal abnormalities result from mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptors. These findings have led to a greater understanding of the role of fibroblast growth factor signaling during skeletogenesis and have focused research interests on the effects of fibroblast growth factors on endochondral and intramembranous bone development.