FGF-2 is a 155 amino acid single-chain polypeptide heparin binding growth factor with mitogenic and
angiogenic properties. It is a potent inducer of DNA synthesis in a variety of cell types. FGF-2 is required for the maintenance of human embryonic stem cells in culture, as well as various other stem cell lines. It is also involved in a variety of other cell processes, including cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth,and embryonic development.