Plays an important role in bone formation and normal bone mineralization. Promotes the differentiation of myoblasts into osteoblasts (PubMed:20025746). May induce the commitment and differentiation of myoblasts into osteoblasts through an enhancement of BMP2 production and interaction with the BMP-RUNX2 pathway. Up-regulates the expression of ATF4, a transcription factor which plays a central role in osteoblast differentiation. Essential for normal spermatogenesis and late testicular differentiation (By similarity).
