該基因編碼TGFβ（轉化生長因子β）超家族的一個分泌配體這個家族的配體結合各種tgfβ受體，導致調節基因表達的smad家族轉錄因子的募集和激活。編碼的前蛋白經蛋白質水解處理以產生二硫鍵連接的同二聚體的每個亞單位。該蛋白在多種細胞類型中表達，作為一種多效性細胞因子參與細胞損傷后的應激反應增加的蛋白質水平與疾病狀態，如組織缺氧，炎癥，急性損傷和氧化應激有關。[由RefSeq提供，2016年8月]
This gene encodes a secreted ligand of the TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily of proteins. Ligands of this family bind various TGF-beta receptors leading to recruitment and activation of SMAD family transcription factors that regulate gene expression. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate each subunit of the disulfide-linked homodimer. The protein is expressed in a broad range of cell types, acts as a pleiotropic cytokine and is involved in the stress response program of cells after cellular injury. Increased protein levels are associated with disease states such as tissue hypoxia, inflammation, acute injury and oxidative stress. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]