Human FGF17 is a member of the broadly mitogenic FGF family, members of which have key roles in prenatal development, postnatal growth and tissue regeneration. FGF17 has been implicated in the organization and induction of the midbrain/hindbrain junction. It is also found in the developing skeleton, major arteries, heart, tail bud and hindgut, where it is often expressed just following FGF8 expression. While deletion of FGF17 does allow for viable mice, these mice demonstrate abnormalities in areas of the brain and demonstrate abnormal social behaviour. In humans abnormal patterns of FGF17 expression are associated with Dandy-Walker cerebellar malformation as well as a number of types of cancer. Human FGF17 shares 99% sequence similarity with the mouse and rat forms. Recombinant Human FGF17 is a 22.8 kDa heparin binding growth factor.