該基因編碼的蛋白是成纖維細胞生長因子家族的成員。FGF家族成員具有廣泛的有絲分裂和細胞存活活性，并參與多種生物學過程，包括胚胎發育、細胞生長、形態發生、組織修復、腫瘤生長和侵襲。該基因與小鼠乳腺腫瘤病毒誘導的原癌基因fgf3/int-2相似。這種基因在人類腫瘤中頻繁擴增，可能對腫瘤的轉化和腫瘤的進展具有重要意義。對小鼠和雞的相似基因的研究表明它們在內耳形成中的作用。
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 gene was identified by its similarity with mouse fgf3/int-2, a proto-oncogene activated in virally induced mammary tumors in the mouse. Frequent amplification of this gene has been found in human tumors, which may be important for neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Studies of the similar genes in mouse and chicken suggested the role in inner ear formation.