Bmp8b - bone morphogenetic protein 8b Gene

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. The encoded protein may play a role in the generation of primordial germ cells, and has been shown to stimulate thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Male mice lacking a functional copy of this gene exhibit variable degrees of germ-cell deficiency. Homozygous knockout mice of both sexes exhibit impaired thermogenesis and reduced metabolic rate, resulting in weight gain. This gene may have arose from a gene duplication event and its gene duplicate is also present on chromosome 4. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2016]