FGF-12

FGF-12 (FHF2) is the second member of the intracrine FGF homologous factor group. Like its subgroup relatives it carries no signal peptide and does not act as a classical secreted FGFR ligand; instead it binds voltage-gated sodium channels in neurons and cardiomyocytes and modulates their gating. FGF12 is enriched in brain, heart and sensory neurons. Gain-of-function variants in FGF12 cause early-infantile epileptic encephalopathy, while reduced FHF2 function in mouse heart reproduces aspects of Brugada syndrome. Recombinant FGF-12 supports patch-clamp studies of sodium channel regulation, epilepsy variant characterization and protein-interaction work on FHF complexes.