Divergence of intracellular signaling pathways and early response genes of two closely related fibroblast growth factors, FGF8 and FGF18, in bovine ovarian granulosa cells.

Highlights: [•] Bovine granulosa cells were challenged with FGF8 or FGF18. [•] FGF8 increased abundance of SPRY and NR4A genes but FGF18 did not. [•] FGF8 increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation but FGF18 did not. [•] Microarray experiments showed that both FGF8 and FGF18 increased EGR1 mRNA levels. [•] FGF8 and FGF18 both activate EGR1 but their signaling pathways diverge thereafter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]