该基因编码的蛋白质是一种膜糖蛋白，可调节细胞信号传导，并在多器官系统的生长和发育中起到关键作用。通过选择性启动子的使用和剪接，该基因产生了一种不同亚型的特殊变体。这些亚型以组织特异性的方式表达，在结构上有显著差异，分为I型、II型、III型、IV型、V型和VI型。这种基因的失调与癌症、精神分裂症和双相情感障碍（BPD）等疾病有关。
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).