FGF-3

FGF-3 shows one of the narrowest expression patterns of the canonical FGF ligands. During development it is confined largely to the otic vesicle, where it supports inner-ear formation, and to the developing tooth and hindbrain; in adults it remains detectable mainly in the brain. FGF-3 signals preferentially through the FGFR1b and FGFR2b isoforms. The human FGF3 locus at chromosome 11q13 is co-amplified with CCND1 in a subset of breast, head-and-neck and bladder cancers, where FGF3 overexpression is thought to contribute to tumor growth. Recombinant FGF-3 protein supports inner-ear and dental research, otic differentiation protocols and receptor-binding studies.