[5][6] It binds to and exerts effects via specific fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) proteins, themselves a family of closely related molecules.

It has been hypothesized that, during both wound healing of normal tissues and tumor development, the action of heparan sulfate-degrading enzymes activates bFGF, thus mediating the formation of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis.

It was also shown to act on preosteoblasts – in the form of an increased proliferation – after binding to fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase.

[15] The nuclear form of FGF2 functions in mRNA export[16] FGF-2 is synthesized primarily as a 155 amino acid polypeptide, resulting in an 18 kDa protein.

Knockout models of the FGF receptor and its kinase activity appears to alter the cellular expression of NANOG and GATA4 (transcription factors essential for proper cell differentiation and embryonic development), indicating a specific role of FGF2 in PE specification and subsequent blastocyst development rates.

[20][21] Culture media supplemented with combinations of FGF2, EGF and IGF2 have found similar results and indicate that FGF2 may activate the AKT pathway for trophoblastic cell line growth.