Fibroblast Growth Factor 17 (FGF17)

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), such as FGF17, are growth factors and oncogenes that contain a conserved, approximately 120-amino acid core. The deduced 216-amino acid human FGF17 protein is 98.6% identical to the mouse and rat Fgf17 proteins, which are identical. Among known FGF family members, the FGF17 protein is most similar to FGF8. FGF17 contains a typical hydrophobic signal sequence at its N terminus, and the authors demonstrated that recombinant rat Fgf17 can be efficiently secreted by High Five insect cells. PCR analysis of rat adult tissues detected Fgf17 expression in all tissues examined. In rat 14.5-day embryos, in situ hybridization showed highest Fgf17 expression in the isthmus cerebellar and septum neuroepithelia of the brain.