Endocrine fibroblast growth factors 15/19 and 21: from feast to famine

Genes Dev. 2012 Feb 15;26(4):312-24. doi: 10.1101/gad.184788.111. Epub 2012 Feb 2.

Abstract

We review the physiology and pharmacology of two atypical fibroblast growth factors (FGFs)-FGF15/19 and FGF21-that can function as hormones. Both FGF15/19 and FGF21 act on multiple tissues to coordinate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in response to nutritional status. Whereas FGF15/19 is secreted from the small intestine in response to feeding and has insulin-like actions, FGF21 is secreted from the liver in response to extended fasting and has glucagon-like effects. FGF21 also acts in an autocrine fashion in several tissues, including adipose. The pharmacological actions of FGF15/19 and FGF21 make them attractive drug candidates for treating metabolic disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Fasting / physiology
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / metabolism

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors