Involved in the cell surface expression of neuronal nicotinic receptors (PubMed:10980252). Binds RNA (PubMed:10980252). Expressed in brain, kidney and testis, and at lower levels in heart. Not present in the maxillary first molar tooth before E18. Present at high levels in ameloblasts and adjacent cells at P7. At P14, present in differentiating pre-cementoblasts and pre-osteoblasts along the developing root surface and alveolar bone. At P28, present in cementoblastic cells in the periodontal ligament and osteoblastic cells on the alveolar bone surface (at protein level). By mechanical tensile force in periodontal ligament fibroblasts. Belongs to the unc-50 family.