SOCS2 and infection: Suppressor of cytokine signalling 2 (SOCS2) gene (page 13 of Additional file 8) is thought to play roles in metabolism, somatic growth, bone formation, the central nervous system, response to infections and mammary gland development although the main target of SOCS2 is believed to be GH/IGF-1 which is important for somatic growth [73].