Regulates the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Overexpression block the TPA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation in the K562 cell model. May also prevent cell apoptosis through the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) (By similarity). Expressed in hematopoietic precursor cells. Highly expressed in bone marrow, the red pulp of the spleen and round spermatids. Weakly expressed in peripheral blood cells. Expressed at 8.5 dpc in the blood islands of the yolk sac and in the circulating primitive blood cells. Expressed in the circulating blood cells at 9.5 dpc and 10.5 dpc. Detected in the developing hepatic primordia at 10.5 dpc. From 11.5 dpc to 14.5 dpc, exclusively expressed in the fetal liver.