 The FGFR3 protein plays a role in bone growth by regulating ossification.Alternative splicing occurs and additional variants have been described, including those utilizing alternate exon 8 rather than 9, but their full-length nature has not been determined.Gain of function mutations in this gene can develop dysfunctional proteins "impede cartilage growth and development and affect chondrocyte proliferation and calcification" which can lead to craniosynostosis and multiple types of skeletal dysplasia (osteochondrodysplasia).