Growth factors play a big role in how cells communicate and grow during the early stages of development. Here are a few important ways they do this:
Starting Pathways: One example is the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) pathway. This pathway gets activated in more than 20% of the processes that happen in embryos. It helps cells decide what type they will become and how quickly they will grow.
Molecular Connections: Growth factors connect to special spots called receptors (like the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, or EGF-R). This connection starts important pathways, like MAPK, which are necessary for forming organs.
Effects Based on Amount: The amount of Wnt proteins present can lead to different results in development. Low levels of these proteins help cells grow, while high levels can cause cells to die. This shows that there can be a 60% difference in how development turns out, based on the amount of Wnt proteins.
These points highlight just how important growth factors are in the early stages of life.
Growth factors play a big role in how cells communicate and grow during the early stages of development. Here are a few important ways they do this:
Starting Pathways: One example is the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) pathway. This pathway gets activated in more than 20% of the processes that happen in embryos. It helps cells decide what type they will become and how quickly they will grow.
Molecular Connections: Growth factors connect to special spots called receptors (like the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, or EGF-R). This connection starts important pathways, like MAPK, which are necessary for forming organs.
Effects Based on Amount: The amount of Wnt proteins present can lead to different results in development. Low levels of these proteins help cells grow, while high levels can cause cells to die. This shows that there can be a 60% difference in how development turns out, based on the amount of Wnt proteins.
These points highlight just how important growth factors are in the early stages of life.