Could be involved with bystin and tastin in a cell adhesion molecule complex that mediates an initial attachment of the blastocyst to uterine epithelial cells at the time of the embryo implantation. Directly responsible for homophilic cell adhesion.
Strong expression at implantation sites. Found in the placenta from the sixth week of pregnancy. Was localized in the cytoplasm of the syncytiotrophoblast in the chorionic villi and in endometrial decidual cells at the uteroplacental interface. After week 10, the level decreased and then disappeared from placental villi. Also found in macrophages.