Putative adhesion molecule that mediates sialic-acid dependent binding to cells. Binds equally to alpha-2,3-linked and alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid. The sialic acid recognition site may be masked by cis interactions with sialic acids on the same cell surface.
Subcellular locations: Membrane
Expressed by monocytic/myeloid lineage cells. Found at high levels in peripheral blood leukocytes, spleen, bone marrow and at lower levels in lymph node, lung, appendix, placenta, pancreas and thymus. Expressed by monocytes and neutrophils but absent from leukemic cell lines representing early stages of myelomonocytic differentiation.