FGF-17

FGF-17 is a close paralog of FGF-8 that shares its receptor preference for FGFR1c and its role as an embryonic patterning signal. During development it is expressed in the anterior neural plate, apical ectodermal ridge, cerebellum and cardiac outflow tract, contributing to cortical regionalization, cerebellar foliation and craniofacial formation. In adults FGF17 remains detectable in brain and testis. Overexpression in tumor cells enhances proliferation and invasion in vitro, and FGF17 has been examined in prostate and breast cancer models. Recombinant FGF-17 is used in neural patterning protocols, FGF-8-family receptor studies and cell proliferation assays.