The protein encoded by this gene is a secreted cytokine that induces cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vitro. It has been shown to bind and activate the ILST/gp130 receoptor. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2008],function:Induces cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vitro. Binds to and activates the ILST/gp130 receptor.,similarity:Belongs to the IL-6 superfamily.,tissue specificity:Highly expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, prostate and ovary. Lower levels in lung, kidney, pancreas, thymus, testis and small intestine. Little or no expression in brain, placenta, liver, spleen, colon or peripheral blood leukocytes.,
