Membrane receptor involved in phagocytosis by macrophages and astrocytes of apoptotic cells. Receptor for C1q, an eat-me signal, that binds phosphatidylserine expressed on the surface of apoptotic cells . Cooperates with ABCA1 within the process of engulfment. Promotes the formation of large intracellular vacuoles and may be responsible for the uptake of amyloid-beta peptides (, ). Necessary for astrocyte-dependent apoptotic neuron clearance in the developing cerebellum . Plays role in muscle cell proliferation, adhesion and motility. Is also an essential factor in the regulation of myogenesis. Controls the balance between skeletal muscle satellite cells proliferation and differentiation through regulation of the notch signaling pathway (, Ref.16). May also function in the mosaic spacing of specific neuron subtypes in the retina through homotypic retinal neuron repulsion. Mosaics provide a mechanism to distribute each cell type evenly across the retina, ensuring that all parts of the visual field have access to a full set of processing elements (  , ).
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane, Cell projection, Phagocytic cup
Enriched at the sites of contact with apoptotic thymocyte cells . Forms an irregular, mosaic-like adhesion pattern in region of the cell surface that becomes firmely fixed to the substrate. Expressed at the cell surface in clusters around cell corpses during engulfment. During the engulfment of apoptotic thymocytes, recruited at the bottom of the forming phagocytic cup . Colocalizes with ABCA1 in absence of any phagocytic challenge . Does not localize within lamellipodia . Does not localize with MEGF11 .
Expressed in muscle (at protein level).