FAM3B (C21orf11, Cytokine like Protein 2 21, Cytokine-like Protein 2-21, Fam3b, FAM3B, Pancreatic-derived Factor, PANDER, PRED44, Protein FAM3B)

FAM3B (family with sequence similarity 3, member B), also known as ORF9, C21orf11 or PANDER, is a 235 amino acid secreted protein that localizes to discrete vesicular and perinuclear structures. Expressed at high levels in pancreas and at lower levels in kidney, colon, testis, prostate and small intestine, FAM3B functions as an islet-specific cytokine that promotes apoptosis and may inhibit Insulin secretion from beta-cells, possibly playing a role in overall pancreatic activity. Human FAM3B shares 78% sequence identity with its mouse counterpart, suggesting a conserved role between species. Three...