FGF-17 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGFs share 30 70% amino acid (aa) identity in a conserved, approximately 120 amino acid core domain. FGFs play multiple roles in biological functions, including angiogenesis, mitogenesis, cell differentiation and wound repair. FGF17 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development and as signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain. It is also expressed in hindgut, parts of the developing skeleton, tail bud, major arteries, and heart. In many of these areas, it is expressed along with FGF-8, but slightly later. It is required for normal brain development.