FGF-13, also known as FGF17, belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Members of this family show broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and play a role in a variety of biological processes including embryonic development cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF-13 is preferentially expressed in the embryonic brain. It interacts with FGFR3 and FGFR4. FGF-13 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development and as signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain. It is also required for normal brain development.