The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13.,CSF2,GMCSF,Cell Biology & Developmental Biology,Apoptosis,Growth factor,Immunology & Inflammation,Cytokines,Cell Intrinsic Innate Immunity Signaling Pathway,CSF2