Itoh N, Ornitz D. Fibroblast growth factors: from molecular evolution to roles in development, metabolism and disease. J Biochem. 2011;149:121-30 pubmed publisher
..During metazoan evolution, the Fgf family expanded in two phases, after the separation of protostomes and deuterostomes and in the evolution of early vertebrates. These expansions enabled FGFs to acquire diverse actions and functions. ..
Itoh N, Ornitz D. Evolution of the Fgf and Fgfr gene families. Trends Genet. 2004;20:563-9 pubmed
..The expansion of the Fgf and Fgfr gene families has enabled this signaling system to acquire functional diversity and, therefore, an almost ubiquitous involvement in developmental and physiological processes. ..
Itoh N, Konishi M. The zebrafish fgf family. Zebrafish. 2007;4:179-86 pubmed
..As the zebrafish system has proved useful for studying gene functions and genetic diseases, the present findings will be useful for elucidation of roles of FGFs in zebrafish and humans. ..
Itoh N, Ornitz D. Functional evolutionary history of the mouse Fgf gene family. Dev Dyn. 2008;237:18-27 pubmed
..During the evolution of early vertebrates, the Fgf subfamilies further expanded to contain three or four members in each subfamily. ..
