Has a pivotal role in cytoprotective cellular mechanisms triggered by oxygen deprivation. May play a role as a molecular chaperone and participate in protein folding.
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum lumen
Highly expressed in tissues that contain well-developed endoplasmic reticulum and synthesize large amounts of secretory proteins. Highly expressed in liver and pancreas and lower expression in brain and kidney. Also expressed in macrophages within aortic atherosclerotic plaques, and in breast cancers.