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. This protein regulates a wide range of biological processes including iron homeostasis, fat and bone developme

Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans are composed of a membrane-associated protein core substituted with a variable number of heparan sulfate chains. Members of the glypican-related integral membrane proteoglycan family (GRIPS) contain a core protein anchored to the cytoplasmic membrane via a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol linkage. These proteins may play a role in the control of cell division and growth regulation. The protein encoded by this gene can bind to and inhibit the dipeptidyl

eIF2 alpha is a 36 kDa protein which is ubiquitously expressed in many cell types. The eIF2 protein, which is composed of three subunits (alpha, beta and gamma), is one of the key molecules in the initiation of translation. In mammalian cells, eIF2 alpha is phosphorylated at serine 51 (human EIF2 alpha, the equivalent residue in mouse is serine 52) by at least two kinases: the haem-controlled repressor (HCR) and the interferon inducible double stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). Phos

The IGF2 gene encodes a member of the insulin family of polypeptide growth factors that is involved in development and growth. It is expressed only from the paternally inherited allele and is an imprinted gene which is a candidate gene for eating disorders. There is a read-through, INS-IGF2, which aligns to this gene at the 3' region and to the upstream INS gene at the 5' region. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene. Insulin

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the S100family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs.S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of awide range of cells, and involved in the regulation of a number ofcellular processes such as cell cycle progression anddifferentiation. S100 genes include at least 13 members which arelocated as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. This protein may have atumor suppressor function. Chromosomal rearrangements and alterede

This gene encodes one of seven subunits of the human Arp2/3 protein complex. The Arp2/3 protein complex has been implicated in the control of actin polymerization in cells and has been conserved through evolution. The exact role of the protein encoded by this gene, the p16 subunit, has yet to be determined. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2012]