The protein specifically promotes pancreatic beta cell proliferation and beta cell mass expansion, thereby improving glucose tolerance. It promotes pancreatic beta cell proliferation without insulin resistance. Also it acts as a blood lipid regulator by regulating serum triglyceride levels and possibly by promoting ANGPTL3 cleavage. It interacts with ANGPTL3. It predominantly expressed in liver and also expressed in adipose tissues. The ability of the protein to induce pancreatic beta cell proliferation is promising in diabetes therapy. Betatrophin treatment could supply or replace insulin injections by increasing the number of insulin-producing cells in diabetes.