Calcium-binding chaperone that promotes folding, oligomeric assembly and quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the calreticulin/calnexin cycle. This lectin interacts transiently with almost all of the monoglucosylated glycoproteins that are synthesized in the ER. Interacts with the DNA-binding domain of NR3C1 and mediates its nuclear export (By similarity). Involved in maternal gene expression regulation. May participate in oocyte maturation via the regulation of calcium homeostasis (By similarity). Present in the cortical granules of non-activated oocytes, is exocytosed during the cortical reaction in response to oocyte activation and might participate in the block to polyspermy (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Endoplasmic reticulum lumen, Cytoplasm, Cytosol, Secreted, Extracellular space, Extracellular matrix, Cell surface, Sarcoplasmic reticulum lumen, Cytoplasmic vesicle, Secretory vesicle, Cortical granule, Cytolytic granule
Also found in cell surface (T cells), cytosol and extracellular matrix. During oocyte maturation and after parthenogenetic activation accumulates in cortical granules. In pronuclear and early cleaved embryos localizes weakly to cytoplasm around nucleus and more strongly in the region near the cortex (By similarity). In cortical granules of non-activated oocytes, is exocytosed during the cortical reaction in response to oocyte activation (By similarity).