FGF-11

FGF-11 belongs to the intracrine FGF homologous factor subgroup (FHF1) rather than to the secreted canonical ligands. Lacking a signal peptide, it acts inside cells, where it binds the C-terminal tail of voltage-gated sodium channels such as Nav1.2 and Nav1.5 and shifts their inactivation, thereby tuning neuronal and cardiac excitability. FGF11 is expressed in brain, dorsal root ganglia and heart, and loss of FHF1 alters pain responses in mouse models. Elevated FGF11 expression has been reported in several cancers, including prostate and pancreatic tumors. Recombinant FGF-11 is used for electrophysiology studies of sodium channel modulation and FHF protein-interaction assays.