Klotho and βKlotho

Endocrine fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have been recognized as hormones that regulate a variety of metabolic processes. FGF19 is secreted from intestine upon feeding and acts on liver to suppress bile acid synthesis. FGF21 is secreted from liver upon fasting and acts on adipose tissue to promote lipolysis and responses to fasting. FGF23 is secreted from bone and acts on kidney to inhibit phosphate reabsorption and vitamin D synthesis. One critical feature of endocrine FGFs is that they require the Klotho gene family of transmembrane proteins as coreceptors to bind their cognate FGF receptors and exert their biological activities. This chapter overviews function of Klotho family proteins as obligate coreceptors for endocrine FGFs and discusses potential link between Klothos and age-related diseases.