This endogenous retroviral envelope protein has retained its original fusogenic properties and participates in trophoblast fusion and the formation of a syncytium during placenta morphogenesis. The interaction with MFSD2A is apparently important for this process (By similarity).
Endogenous envelope proteins may have kept, lost or modified their original function during evolution and this one is unable to confer infectivity.
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane
The surface protein is not anchored to the membrane, but localizes to the extracellular surface through its binding to TM.
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane