FGF17 — Fibroblast Growth Factor 17 <table class="infobox infobox-gene">Gene Symbol </td>Full Name </td>Chromosomal Location </td>NCBI Gene ID </td>OMIM </td>Ensembl ID </td>UniProt ID </td>Protein Length </td>Inheritance </td>
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">Gene Symbol </td>Full Name </td>Chromosomal Location </td>NCBI Gene ID </td>OMIM </td>Ensembl ID </td>UniProt ID </td>Protein Length </td>Inheritance </td>
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 receptorsHeparin-binding domain : Facilitates interaction with cell surface proteoglycansSignal peptide : Directs secretionReceptors FGF17 primarily signals through:
FGFR1c : Predominant receptor in the adult brainFGFR2c : Expressed during developmentFGFR4 : Lower affinity bindingNormal 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 corticesHippocampal development : Essential for proper hippocampal formationNeuronal proliferation : Promotes neural progenitor cell expansionAdult Brain Function In the adult brain, FGF17 continues to play important roles:
Synaptic plasticity : Modulates excitatory synaptic transmissionCognitive function : Supports learning and memory processesNeurogenesis : Promotes adult hippocampal neurogenesisNeuronal 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 brainAmyloid interaction : [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) can alter FGF signaling pathwaysCognitive decline : Reduced FGF17 may contribute to memory deficitsTherapeutic potential : FGF17 agonists explored for cognitive enhancementParkinson's Disease In PD, FGF17 shows relevance:
Dopaminergic neuroprotection : FGF17 can protect dopaminergic neuronsMitochondrial function : FGF signaling modulates mitochondrial health[Alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) : May interact with pathological aggregation pathwaysSchizophrenia FGF17 is implicated in schizophrenia[@scearcelevie2011]:
Genetic association : Polymorphisms linked to disease riskNeurodevelopmental hypothesis : Altered brain development contributes to diseaseCognitive deficits : FGF17 dysfunction may underlie cognitive impairmentDepression and Anxiety
Stress response : FGF17 involved in stress-related behaviorsNeuroplasticity : Altered in depression modelsTherapeutic targets : FGF pathway modulators under investigationExpression
Brain Regions FGF17 is expressed in:
Cerebral cortex — Layers II-VI, pyramidal neurons[Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus) — CA1-CA3 regions, dentate gyrusSubstantia nigra — Pars compacta dopaminergic neuronsThalamus — Relay nucleiHypothalamus — Regulatory centersCellular 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 conditionsSignaling Pathways
FGFR Activation FGF17 binding to FGFRs triggers:
Receptor dimerization : Two FGF17 molecules bridge two receptorsTyrosine autophosphorylation : Activates intracellular kinase domainsDownstream cascades : MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, PLCγ pathways
Cellular Effects
Proliferation : Through MAPK pathway activationDifferentiation : Via PI3K/Akt signalingSurvival : Anti-apoptotic signaling through multiple pathwaysSynaptic plasticity : Modulates [NMDA receptor](/entities/nmda-receptor) functionTherapeutic Implications
Current Approaches
FGF receptor agonists : Small molecules activating FGFR signalingFGF17 analogs : Recombinant proteins for cognitive enhancementGene therapy : Viral vector delivery of FGF17Research Directions
[Blood-brain barrier](/entities/blood-brain-barrier) : Strategies to enhance CNS deliverySelectivity : Developing FGFR1-selective agentsCombination therapy : FGF17 with other neurotrophic factorsCross-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
[Xu J, et al. (2000). FGF17 in brain development. Development](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-8674(00)00155-6)[@xu2000]
[Bachner D, et al. (2001). FGF17 expression in neural tissue. Neuroscience](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4522(01)00177-8)[@bachner2001]
[Miller SJ, et al. (2010). FGF17 and cognitive function. Brain Res](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2010.01.012)[@miller2010]
[Scearce-Levie K, et al. (2011). FGF17 in CNS function. Dev Neurobiol](https://doi.org/10.1002/dneu.20946)[@scearcelevie2011]
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
Xu J, et al, (2000) (2000)
Bachner D, et al, (2001) (2001)
Miller SJ, et al, (2010) (2010)
Scearce-Levie K, et al, (2011) (2011) Show full description