A short peptide derived from the gN helix domain of FGF8b suppresses the growth of human prostate cancer cells.

•An FGF8b gN helix derived peptide (8b-13) inhibits proliferation of prostate cancer cells.•8b-13 arrests the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, and down-regulated the expression of cyclinD1.•8b-13 reduces the activation of Erk1/2, P38, and Akt cascades•8b-13 alters the expression of certain proteins involved in the regulation of proliferation.•Our findings suggest that 8b-13 may exert an antitumor effect in cancers with high FGF8b levels.