FGF17

This gene encodes a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Member of the FGF family possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes including embryonic development cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein is expressed during embryogenesis and in the adult cerebellum and cortex and may be essential for vascular growth and normal brain development. Mutations in this gene are the cause of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism 20 with or without anosmia. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.

Full Name

Fibroblast Growth Factor 17

Research Area

Plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development and as signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain. Required for normal brain development.

Biological Process

Animal organ morphogenesis Source: GO_Central
Cell-cell signaling Source: ProtInc
Cell differentiation Source: GO_Central
Fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling pathway Source: GO_Central
Nervous system development Source: ProtInc
Positive regulation of cell population proliferation Source: GO_Central
Positive regulation of gene expression Source: GO_Central
Positive regulation of protein phosphorylation Source: GO_Central
Regulation of cell migration Source: GO_Central
Signal transduction Source: ProtInc

Cellular Location

Secreted

Involvement in disease

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism 20 with or without anosmia (HH20):
The disease is caused by variants affecting distinct genetic loci, including the gene represented in this entry. Some patients carrying mutations in FGF17 also have a mutation in another HH-associated gene including FGFR1, HS6ST1 and FLRT3 (PubMed:23643382). A disorder characterized by absent or incomplete sexual maturation by the age of 18 years, in conjunction with low levels of circulating gonadotropins and testosterone and no other abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. In some cases, it is associated with non-reproductive phenotypes, such as anosmia, cleft palate, and sensorineural hearing loss. Anosmia or hyposmia is related to the absence or hypoplasia of the olfactory bulbs and tracts. Hypogonadism is due to deficiency in gonadotropin-releasing hormone and probably results from a failure of embryonic migration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-synthesizing neurons. In the presence of anosmia, idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is referred to as Kallmann syndrome, whereas in the presence of a normal sense of smell, it has been termed normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (nIHH).