Description
FGF-21 is a secreted growth factor that is a member 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-21, in the presence of beta-Klotho as a protein cofactor, signals through the FGFR 1c and 4 receptors and stimulates insulin independent glucose uptake by adipocytes. FGF-21 is preferentially expressed in liver, but an exact knowledge of FGF-21 bioactivity and its mode of action have been lacking to date. FGF-21 is a potent activator of glucose uptake on adipocytes, protects animals from diet-induced obesity when overexpressed in transgenic mice, and lowers blood glucose and triglyceride levels when therapeutically administered to diabetic rodents. Rat recombinant Fibroblast Growth Factor -21 is a single, non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain of 180 amino acids and a molecular mass of 19.7 kDa. It has been purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques