Localization and function of acidic fibroblast growth factor in adrenal gland

成纤维细胞生长因子（FGF）是促进中胚层组织和神经外胚层细胞增殖的肽家族。酸性成纤维细胞生长因子（aFGF ; FGF-1）和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF ; FGF-2）是该家族的第一个被纯化和充分表征的成员。aFGF的分布最初仅限于中枢神经系统，如脑和视网膜。然而，目前的研究表明，aFGF mRNA在肾上腺髓质丰富表达，aFGF肽定位于肾上腺素能神经元。此外，FGF受体-1已在肾上腺皮质中检测到。FGF的施用促进了肾上腺皮质类固醇激素的分泌。这些结果表明aFGF可能作为一种局部激素调节肾上腺皮质类固醇的分泌，此外，外源性aFGF对生理行为也有多种影响。这些包括抑制食物摄入和改善记忆和学习。两者合计，这是强烈建议，aFGF可能发挥其生物活性，至少部分，作为一种激素。

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a family of peptides which promote the proliferation of mesodermal tissues and neuroectodermal cells. Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF ; FGF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF ; FGF-2) were first members of this family that were purified and well characterized. The distribution of aFGF was originally through to be limited to the central nervous system such as the brain and retina. The present studies however, have demonstrated that aFGF mRNA is richly exoressed in the adrenal medulla, and aFGF peptide is localized in adrenergic neurons. Moreover, FGF receptor-1 has been detected in the adrenal cortex. Administration of FGF has upragulated the secretion of adrenocortical steroid hormones. These results suggest that aFGF may regulate the secretion of adrenal steroids as a local hormone.In addition, aFGF exogenously administered has several effects on physiological behaviors. These include supression of food intake and the improvement of memory and learning. Taken together, it is strongly suggested that aFGF may exert its biological activity, at least partly, as a hormone.