Bovine bFGF, encoded by the FGF2 gene, is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Fibroblast growth factor was found in pituitary extracts in 1973 and then tested in a bioassay that caused fibroblasts to proliferate. After further fractionating the extract using acidic and basic pH, twodifferent forms have isolated thatnamed "acidic fibroblast growth factor" (FGF-1) and "basic fibroblast growth factor" (FGF-2).