FGF-basic is one of 23 known members of the FGF family. Proteins of this family play a central role during prenatal development and postnatal growth and regeneration of a variety of tissues, by promoting cellular proliferation and differentiation. FGF-basic is a non-glycosylated heparin binding growth factor that is expressed in the brain, pituitary, kidney, retina, bone, testis, adrenal gland liver, monocytes, epithelial cells and endothelial cells. FGF-basic signals through FGFR 1b, 1c, 2c, 3c and 4. Recombinant murine FGF-basic is a 16.3 kDa protein consisting of 145 amino acid residues.