Gene Symbol: FGF3
Path: /genes/fgf3
Also Known As: INT1, HST, HST-1, INT2, HBGF-3
Fibroblast Growth Factor 3 (FGF3) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that plays crucial roles in embryonic development, tissue repair, and cellular proliferation. FGF3 is particularly important for inner ear development and neural crest cell formation. As a secreted growth factor, FGF3 binds to fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) to activate downstream signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival.
- Official Name: Fibroblast Growth Factor 3
- Gene Symbol: FGF3
- Chromosomal Location: 11q13.3 (GRCh38: 69809968..69819416)
- Entrez Gene ID: 2248
- Ensembl ID: ENSG00000186891
- UniProt ID: P11487
- Protein Name: Fibroblast Growth Factor 3
- Molecular Weight: ~24 kDa
- Length: 181 amino acids
- Structure: Consists of a signal peptide, FGF family domain, and heparin-binding domain
- Receptors: FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR4
FGF3 functions as a mitogenic factor that activates FGFR signaling pathways:
- Embryonic Development: Critical for inner ear development, branchial arch morphogenesis, and neural crest cell proliferation. FGF3 (along with FGF8) is responsible for induction of the inner ear otic placode.
- Cellular Proliferation: Stimulates cell division in various tissues including neural progenitor cells
- Differentiation: Promotes differentiation of mesenchymal and neuronal cells
- Angiogenesis: Contributes to blood vessel formation in developing tissues
FGF3 activates multiple downstream signaling pathways including MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and PLCγ pathways, which regulate cell growth, survival, and differentiation.
During nervous system development, FGF3 plays critical roles:
- Inner Ear Development: Essential for induction and patterning of the inner ear. Mutations in FGF3 cause inner ear agenesis and syndromic deafness (LAMM syndrome).
- Neural Tube Patterning: Participates in anterior neural ridge patterning and forebrain development
- Neurogenesis: Acts as a mitogen promoting expansion of neural stem cell populations during development
In the adult brain, FGF3 is expressed in regions including the hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum, where it continues to play roles in synaptic plasticity and neuronal function.
FGF3 has emerging connections to neurodegenerative diseases:
- FGF3 expression is altered in AD brain tissue and may participate in aberrant cell cycle re-entry in neurons
- The protein's role in cell survival signaling could be relevant to amyloid-beta induced neurotoxicity
- May interact with other growth factors to modulate tau pathology
- FGF3/FGFR signaling may influence dopaminergic neuron survival
- The protein's involvement in cellular stress responses could be relevant to PD pathogenesis
- FGF3 signaling may influence neuroinflammation processes
FGF3 possesses neuroprotective properties through:
- Activation of anti-apoptotic signaling pathways
- Promotion of neurotrophic factor expression
- Support of synaptic plasticity
- Enhancement of neuronal resilience to oxidative stress
Additional evidence sources: