LIF

The protein encoded by this gene is a pleiotropic cytokine with roles in several different systems. It is involved in the induction of hematopoietic differentiation in normal and myeloid leukemia cells, induction of neuronal cell differentiation, regulator of mesenchymal to epithelial conversion during kidney development, and may also have a role in immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. LIF (LIF, Interleukin 6 Family Cytokine) is a Protein Coding gene. Diseases associated with LIF include Leukemia and Ectopic Pregnancy. Among its related pathways are Akt Signaling and Adipogenesis. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations related to this gene include signaling receptor binding and growth factor activity.
LIF has the capacity to induce terminal differentiation in leukemic cells. Its activities include the induction of hematopoietic differentiation in normal and myeloid leukemia cells, the induction of neuronal cell differentiation, and the stimulation of acute-phase protein synthesis in hepatocytes.