該基因編碼的蛋白質是一種膜糖蛋白，可調節細胞信號傳導，并在多器官系統的生長和發育中起到關鍵作用。通過選擇性啟動子的使用和剪接，該基因產生了一種不同亞型的特殊變體。這些亞型以組織特異性的方式表達，在結構上有顯著差異，分為I型、II型、III型、IV型、V型和VI型。這種基因的失調與癌癥、精神分裂癥和雙相情感障礙（BPD）等疾病有關。
The protein encoded by this gene is a membrane glycoprotein that mediates cell-cell signaling and plays a critical role in the growth and development of multiple organ systems. An extraordinary variety of different isoforms are produced from this gene through alternative promoter usage and splicing. These isoforms are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and differ significantly in their structure, and are classified as types I, II, III, IV, V and VI. Dysregulation of this gene has been linked to diseases such as cancer, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder (BPD).