Fibroblast growth factor-9, is an approximately 26 kDa secreted glycoprotein of the FGF family. Secreted human FGF-9 is a 205-207 aa protein that lacks the N-terminal 1-3 aa and shares 98% sequence identity with mouse, rat, equine, porcine and bovine FGF-9. FGF-9 is an autocrine/paracrine growth factor considered to be important for the growth and survival of motorneurons and prostate. Meanwhile, FGF9 is a potent mitogen and survival factor required for morphogenesis during embryonic development and numerous biological functions at adulthood.