该基因编码TGFβ（转化生长因子β）超家族的一个分泌配体这个家族的配体结合各种tgfβ受体，导致调节基因表达的smad家族转录因子的募集和激活。编码的前蛋白经蛋白质水解处理以产生潜伏相关肽（LAP）和成熟肽，发现其为由成熟肽同二聚体、LAP同二聚体和潜在TGFβ结合蛋白组成的潜伏形式，或为仅由成熟肽同二聚体组成的活性形式。成熟肽也可能与其他tgfb家族成员形成异二聚体。这种编码蛋白调节细胞增殖、分化和生长，并能调节包括干扰素γ和肿瘤坏死因子α在内的其他生长因子的表达和激活。这种基因在肿瘤细胞中经常上调，这种基因的突变会导致化脓性恩格曼病[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 a latency-associated peptide (LAP) and a mature peptide, and is found in either a latent form composed of a mature peptide homodimer, a LAP homodimer, and a latent TGF-beta binding protein, or in an active form consisting solely of the mature peptide homodimer. The mature peptide may also form heterodimers with other TGFB family members. This encoded protein regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and growth, and can modulate expression and activation of other growth factors including interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha. This gene is frequently upregulated in tumor cells, and mutations in this gene result in Camurati-Engelmann disease. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]