May play an immunosuppressive role by inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation and subsequently facilitating viral replication and generalization of infection (By similarity). Responsible for viral hemadsorption, which may help viral spread (PubMed:8102411, PubMed:8615037). Increases virus replication in the tick vector at the step of virus uptake or replication in the tick gut (PubMed:19729182). May play a role in the host Golgi reorganization to yield viral factories (PubMed:25915900). May play a role in host cell penetration (PubMed:34006158). Both glycosylated and nonglycosylated forms interact (via C-terminus) with the host AP-1 complex. Localizes mainly around the perinuclear cytoplasmic viral factories which are probably derived from the host Golgi membrane (PubMed:25915900). Both proteolytic fragments localize to membrane compartements (By similarity). A minor fraction localizes on the host plasma membrane and on the outer viral envelope of budding particles (Probable). Expressed in the late phase of the viral replicative cycle. The C-terminus contains repetitive amino-acids that may function as a cell-penetrating peptide. Cleaved into two fragments of 63 kDa and 26 kDa containing respectively the glycosylated N-terminus and the nonglycosylated C-terminus (By similarity). A full-length 89-kDa glycosylated form also exists (By similarity). Highly attenuates the virulence in vivo. Belongs to the asfivirus CD2 homolog protein family.