May be involved in the cell-cell adhesion. May play a role in adipocyte differentiation and development of obesity. Is required for normal small intestine development.
Subcellular locations: Cell junction, Tight junction, Cell membrane
Predominantly expressed in epithelial cells within different tissues and in the white adipose tissue. Expressed at high levels in small intestine and placenta, at intermediate levels in the heart, skeletal muscle, colon, spleen, kidney and lung and at low levels in the liver and peripheral blood leukocytes. Highly abundant in the intestine during embryo and fetal development (at protein level).