May promote proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by favoring the transition from the S to G2/M phase. In myeloid leukemic cell lines, inhibits cell growth and induces cell differentiation and apoptosis. May play a role in the inhibition of EIF4EBP1 phosphorylation/deactivation. Facilitates cell adhesion, most probably through interaction with cell surface lectins and cadherin.
Subcellular locations: Secreted, Extracellular space, Mitochondrion
Subcellular location is not clearly defined: has been shown to be secreted , but also in the mitochondrion (, ), cytoplasm and plasma membrane  and in the nucleus .
Expressed during myeloid lineage development. Much higher expression in bone marrow neutrophils than in peripheral blood neutrophils (at protein level). Strongly expressed in the prostate, small intestine and colon and moderately expressed in the bone marrow and stomach. Overexpressed in some pancreatic cancer tissues.