Description
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) belongs to the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. However, FGF-21, along with FGF-19 and FGF-23, belongs to a subfamily of atypical FGFs where it lacks a conventional heparin-binding motif. In the presence of β Klotho as a cofactor, FGF-21 signals via the FGFR1c and 4 receptors to induce glucose uptake by adipocytes. This novel metabolic regulator acts as an endocrine hormone and is predominantly produced in liver upon the induction of peroxisome proliferator-activator receptors, PPAR α and PPAR α