FGF signaling pathways in endochondral and intramembranous bone development and human genetic disease

Abstract

Over the last decade the identification of mutations in the receptors for fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) has de- fined essential roles for FGF signaling in both endochon- dral and intramembranous bone development. FGF sig- naling pathways are essential for the earliest stages of limb development and throughout skeletal develop- ment. In this review, we examine the role of FGF signal- ing in bone development and in human genetic diseases that affect bone development. We also explore what is presently known about how FGF signaling pathways in- teract with other major signaling pathways that regulate chondrogenesis and osteogenesis.