Fibroblast growth factors are essential molecules for development. Here we
characterize Fgf17 a new member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) famil
y. The Fgf17 gene maps to mouse chromosome 14 and is highly conserved betwe
en mouse and human (93% identity). It exhibits 60% amino acid identity with
Fgf8 and 50% identity with Fgf18. Both Fgf8 and Fgf17 have a similar struc
ture and a similar pattern of alternative splicing in the 5' coding region.
When expressed in 3T3 fibroblasts, mouse FGF17 is transforming, indicating
that it can activate the 'c' splice form of either FGF receptor (FGFR) one
or two. During midgestation embryogenesis, in situ hybridization analysis
localized Fgf17 expression to specific sites in the midline structures of t
he forebrain, the midbrain-hindbrain junction, the developing skeleton and
in developing arteries. Comparison to Fgf8 revealed a striking similarity i
n expression patterns, especially in the central nervous system (CNS), sugg
esting that both genes may be important for CNS development, although Fgf17
is expressed somewhat later than Fgf8. In the developing skeleton, both ge
nes are expressed in costal cartilage while Fgf8 is preferentially expresse
d in long bones. In the developing great vessels Fgf17 is preferentially ex
pressed, suggesting that it may have a more prominent role in vascular grow
th. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.