Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.1.0)
Enables cytokine activity and growth factor activity. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including bone resorption; negative regulation of extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway in absence of ligand; and positive regulation of lymphocyte activation. Located in extracellular space. Is expressed in several structures, including brain; branchial arch; ear skin; hemolymphoid system; and intestine. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Orthologous to human IL7 (interleukin 7).