protein_function: LIF has the capacity to induce terminal differentiationin leukemic cells. Its activities include the induction ofhematopoietic differentiation in normal and myeloid leukemiacells, the induction of neuronal cell differentiation, and thestimulation of acute-phase protein synthesis in hepatocytes.
Leukemia inhibitory factor, or LIF, is an interleukin 6 class cytokine that affects cell growth by inhibiting differentiation. When LIF levels drop, the cells differentiate. The LIF was mapped gene to 22q11-q12.2 by Southern analysis of a series of mouse,human somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization to the chromosomes of 2 normal males and some individuals with chromosomal rearrangements. The gene maps between the Philadelphia translocation BCR1 and the breakpoint of the translocation in cell line GM2324 at 22q12.2. LIF derives its name from its ability to induce the terminal differentiation of myeloid leukemic cells, thus preventing their continued growth. Other properties attributed to the cytokine include: the growth promotion and cell differentiation of different types of target cells, influence on bone metabolism, cachexia, neural development, embryogenesis and inflammation.