May be considered as a candidate tumor suppressor gene for brain, lung, esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. May play roles in mucosal defense system, cellular immune defense and epithelial differentiation. May play a role as an opsonin receptor for SFTPD and SPAR in macrophage tissues throughout the body, including epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract. May play a role in liver regeneration. May be an important factor in fate decision and differentiation of transit-amplifying ductular (oval) cells within the hepatic lineage. Required for terminal differentiation of columnar epithelial cells during early embryogenesis. May function as a binding protein in saliva for the regulation of taste sensation. Binds to HIV-1 envelope protein and has been shown to both inhibit and facilitate viral transmission. Displays a broad calcium-dependent binding spectrum against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting a role in defense against bacterial pathogens. Binds to a range of poly-sulfated and poly-phosphorylated ligands which may explain its broad bacterial-binding specificity. Inhibits cytoinvasion of S.enterica. Associates with the actin cytoskeleton and is involved in its remodeling during regulated exocytosis. Interacts with pancreatic zymogens in a pH-dependent manner and may act as a Golgi cargo receptor in the regulated secretory pathway of the pancreatic acinar cell.
