IFN-induced antiviral host restriction factor which efficiently blocks the release of diverse mammalian enveloped viruses by directly tethering nascent virions to the membranes of infected cells. Acts as a direct physical tether, holding virions to the cell membrane and linking virions to each other. The tethered virions can be internalized by endocytosis and subsequently degraded or they can remain on the cell surface. In either case, their spread as cell-free virions is restricted. Its target viruses belong to diverse families, including retroviridae: human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) and murine leukemia virus (MLV), filoviridae: ebola virus (EBOV), arenaviridae: lassa virus (LASV), and rhabdoviridae: vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Can inhibit cell surface proteolytic activity of MMP14 causing decreased activation of MMP15 which results in inhibition of cell growth and migration. Can stimulate signaling by LILRA4/ILT7 and consequently provide negative feedback to the production of IFN by plasmacytoid dendritic cells in response to viral infection (By similarity). Plays a role in the organization of the subapical actin cytoskeleton in polarized epithelial cells. Parallel homodimer; disulfide-linked. May form homotetramers under reducing conditions. Dimerization is essential for its antiviral activity. Interacts with MMP14 (via C-terminal cytoplasmic tail) (By similarity). Interacts with LILRA4/ILT7 (By similarity). Interacts (via cytoplasmic domain) with ARHGAP44. Shuttles between the cell membrane, where it is present predominantly in membrane/lipid rafts, and the trans-Golgi network. Forms a complex with MMP14 and localizes to the cytoplasm (By similarity). Ubiquitously expressed, with highest levels in brain and liver. Present in liver (at protein level). The extracellular coiled coil domain forms an extended 170 A long semi-flexible rod-like structure important for virion retention at the cell surface and prevention of virus spreading. N-glycosylated. The GPI anchor is essential for its antiviral activity.