Fibroblast Growth Factor 17 (FGF17) is a member of the heparin-binding growth factors family that is prominently expressed in the cerebellum and cortex. Proteins of this family possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities and they are involved in a variety of biological processes including embryonic development cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth, and invasion. FGF17 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development and it acts as signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain. In addition, FGF17 stimulates the proliferation and activation of cells that express FGF receptors.