Effector of necroptotic and pyroptotic programmed cell death that mediates plasma membrane rupture (cytolysis) (By similarity). Acts downstream of Gasdermin (GSDMA, GSDMB, GSDMC, GSDMD, or GSDME) or MLKL during pyroptosis or necroptosis, respectively: oligomerizes in response to death stimuli and promotes plasma membrane rupture by introducing hydrophilic faces of 2 alpha helices into the hydrophobic membrane, leading to release intracellular molecules named damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that propagate the inflammatory response (By similarity). Also acts as a homophilic transmembrane adhesion molecule involved in nerve regeneration . Promotes axonal growth .
Subcellular locations: Membrane
Widely expressed. In adult, higher expression in the bone marrow and peripheral blood lymphocytes, medium in the lung, lymph node, thyroid, uterus, thymus, spleen, prostate and skeletal muscle, lower in the liver, placenta, brain, heart and kidney. In embryo, higher expression in the thymus, heart and liver, lower in the spleen, lung, brain and kidney.