这个基因编码tgfβ（转化生长因子β）超家族的一个成员。编码的前蛋白经蛋白质水解处理，生成二聚激活素和抑制素蛋白复合物的亚单位。这些复合物分别激活和抑制垂体的促卵泡激素分泌。编码的蛋白质也在眼睛、牙齿和睾丸的发育中起作用。该基因的高表达可能与癌症恶病质有关。[由RefSeq提供，2016年8月]
This gene encodes a member of the TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily of proteins. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate a subunit of the dimeric activin and inhibin protein complexes. These complexes activate and inhibit, respectively, follicle stimulating hormone secretion from the pituitary gland. The encoded protein also plays a role in eye, tooth and testis development. Elevated expression of this gene may be associated with cancer cachexia in human patients. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]