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. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2015],developmental stage:Detected in embryos at E14.5, but not at E10.5 and E19.5. Preferentially expressed in the neuroepithelia of the isthmus and septum of the embryonic brain at E14.5.,function:May be a signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain.,similarity:Belongs to the heparin-binding growth factors family.,tissue specificity:Preferentially expressed in the embryonic brain.,
