该基因编码的蛋白是成纤维细胞生长因子（fgf）家族的一员。fgf家族成员具有广泛的有丝分裂和细胞存活活性，参与胚胎发育、细胞生长、形态发生、组织修复、肿瘤生长和侵袭等多种生物学过程。这种生长因子是一种高亲和力的、肝素依赖的fgfr4配体。该基因只在胎儿脑组织中表达，在成人脑组织中不表达。鸡胚同源物与wnt-8c的协同作用是内耳发育启动的必要条件。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members 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 growth factor is a high affinity, heparin dependent ligand for FGFR4. Expression of this gene was detected only in fetal but not adult brain tissue. Synergistic interaction of the chick homolog and Wnt-8c has been shown to be required for initiation of inner ear development. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]