The function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000139269 (INHBE, inhibin subunit beta E) is as follows. Inhibins and activins inhibit and activate, respectively, the secretion of follitropin by the pituitary gland. Inhibins/activins are involved in regulating a number of diverse functions such as hypothalamic and pituitary hormone secretion, gonadal hormone secretion, germ cell development and maturation, erythroid differentiation, insulin secretion, nerve cell survival, embryonic axial development or bone growth, depending on their subunit composition. Inhibins appear to oppose the functions of activins. Activin E is a homodimer of INHBE secreted by the liver that plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic homeostasis particularly in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Plays a central role in the regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis by preventing the influx of fatty acids from adipose tissue into the liver. Mechanistically, signals via ACVR1C to activate SMAD2/3 signaling, suppressing PPARG target genes in adipose tissue, thereby reducing liver lipid content and improving glycemic control (PubMed:38533769). Induces beige adipocyte formation and thermogenesis in response to cold exposure (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:O08717, ECO:0000269|PubMed:38533769}.