這個基因編碼五跨膜糖蛋白。這種蛋白定位于膜突起，通常在成人干細胞上表達，在那里它被認為通過抑制分化來維持干細胞特性。該基因的突變已被證明會導致視網膜色素變性和Stargardt病。這種基因的表達也與幾種癌癥有關。該基因由至少5種以組織依賴方式表達的替代啟動子表達。已發現編碼該基因不同亞型的多種轉錄變體。
This gene encodes a pentaspan transmembrane glycoprotein. The protein localizes to membrane protrusions and is often expressed on adult stem cells, where it is thought to function in maintaining stem cell properties by suppressing differentiation. Mutations in this gene have been shown to result in retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease. Expression of this gene is also associated with several types of cancer. This gene is expressed from at least five alternative promoters that are expressed in a tissue-dependent manner. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.