FGF17 Gene

FGF17 — Fibroblast Growth Factor 17

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">FGF17 Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>FGF17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Fibroblast Growth Factor 17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>8p21.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>8822</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td>603725</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000129625</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>Q9G079</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Length</td>
<td>207 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Inheritance</td>
<td>Autosomal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>

The FGF17 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 17) gene encodes a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that plays crucial roles in brain development, neuronal function, and has been implicated in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Overview

Function

FGF Signaling Family

FGF17 belongs to the FGF8 subfamily, which includes FGF8, FGF17, and FGF18. These proteins function as growth factors with diverse roles in development and tissue maintenance[@xu2000].

Protein Structure

FGF17 — Fibroblast Growth Factor 17

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">FGF17 Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>FGF17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Fibroblast Growth Factor 17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>8p21.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>8822</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td>603725</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000129625</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>Q9G079</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Length</td>
<td>207 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Inheritance</td>
<td>Autosomal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>

The FGF17 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 17) gene encodes a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that plays crucial roles in brain development, neuronal function, and has been implicated in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Overview

Function

FGF Signaling Family

FGF17 belongs to the FGF8 subfamily, which includes FGF8, FGF17, and FGF18. These proteins function as growth factors with diverse roles in development and tissue maintenance[@xu2000].

Protein Structure

• FGF domain: Core binding region for FGF receptors
• Heparin-binding domain: Facilitates interaction with cell surface proteoglycans
• Signal peptide: Directs secretion

Receptors

FGF17 primarily signals through:

• FGFR1c: Predominant receptor in the adult brain
• FGFR2c: Expressed during development
• FGFR4: Lower affinity binding

Normal Physiological Roles

Brain Development

FGF17 is critical for early brain development[@bachner2001]:

• Forebrain patterning: Establishes regional identity in the developing [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex)
• Cortical area specification: Determines boundaries between motor, somatosensory, and visual cortices
• Hippocampal development: Essential for proper hippocampal formation
• Neuronal proliferation: Promotes neural progenitor cell expansion

Adult Brain Function

In the adult brain, FGF17 continues to play important roles:

• Synaptic plasticity: Modulates excitatory synaptic transmission
• Cognitive function: Supports learning and memory processes
• Neurogenesis: Promotes adult hippocampal neurogenesis
• Neuronal survival: Provides trophic support to mature [neurons](/entities/neurons)

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

FGF17 has been increasingly studied in AD[@miller2010]:

• Altered expression: FGF17 levels are dysregulated in AD brain
• Amyloid interaction: [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) can alter FGF signaling pathways
• Cognitive decline: Reduced FGF17 may contribute to memory deficits
• Therapeutic potential: FGF17 agonists explored for cognitive enhancement

Parkinson's Disease

In PD, FGF17 shows relevance:

• Dopaminergic neuroprotection: FGF17 can protect dopaminergic neurons
• Mitochondrial function: FGF signaling modulates mitochondrial health
• [Alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein): May interact with pathological aggregation pathways

Schizophrenia

FGF17 is implicated in schizophrenia[@scearcelevie2011]:

• Genetic association: Polymorphisms linked to disease risk
• Neurodevelopmental hypothesis: Altered brain development contributes to disease
• Cognitive deficits: FGF17 dysfunction may underlie cognitive impairment

Depression and Anxiety

• Stress response: FGF17 involved in stress-related behaviors
• Neuroplasticity: Altered in depression models
• Therapeutic targets: FGF pathway modulators under investigation

Expression

Brain Regions

FGF17 is expressed in:

• Cerebral cortex — Layers II-VI, pyramidal neurons
• [Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus) — CA1-CA3 regions, dentate gyrus
• Substantia nigra — Pars compacta dopaminergic neurons
• Thalamus — Relay nuclei
• Hypothalamus — Regulatory centers

Cellular Expression

• Neurons: Primary source in adult brain
• [Astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes): Some expression, particularly in response to injury
• [Microglia](/cell-types/microglia-neuroinflammation): Limited under normal conditions

Signaling Pathways

FGFR Activation

FGF17 binding to FGFRs triggers:

Cellular Effects

• Proliferation: Through MAPK pathway activation
• Differentiation: Via PI3K/Akt signaling
• Survival: Anti-apoptotic signaling through multiple pathways
• Synaptic plasticity: Modulates [NMDA receptor](/entities/nmda-receptor) function

Therapeutic Implications

Current Approaches

• FGF receptor agonists: Small molecules activating FGFR signaling
• FGF17 analogs: Recombinant proteins for cognitive enhancement
• Gene therapy: Viral vector delivery of FGF17

Research Directions

• [Blood-brain barrier](/entities/blood-brain-barrier): Strategies to enhance CNS delivery
• Selectivity: Developing FGFR1-selective agents
• Combination therapy: FGF17 with other neurotrophic factors

Cross-References

• [FGF Signaling in Neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/fgf-signaling-neurodegeneration) — FGF pathway overview
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) — AD mechanisms
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) — PD mechanisms
• [Neurotrophic Factors](/mechanisms/neurotrophic-factors) — Growth factor pathways

Key Publications

See Also

• [FGF Family Overview](/mechanisms/fgf-signaling-neurodegeneration) — FGF signaling
• [Neurotrophic Factor Signaling](/mechanisms/neurotrophic-factor-signaling) — Growth factors
• [Brain Development](/mechanisms/neurodevelopment) — CNS development

External Links

• [NCBI Gene - FGF17](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/8822)
• [UniProt - FGF17](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9G079)
• [GeneCards - FGF17](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=FGF17)
• [OMIM - FGF17](https://www.omim.org/entry/603725)

References