Plays a role in modulating chloride current across the plasma membrane in a calcium-dependent manner, and cell adhesion. Involved in basal cell adhesion and/or stratification of squamous epithelia. May act as a tumor suppressor in breast and colorectal cancer. Plays a key role for cell adhesion in the beginning stages of lung metastasis via the binding to ITGB4. Remains associated to the 35 kDa form until an unidentified event triggers the release. Expressed in cornea, skin, vagina, esophagus, and larynx (at protein level). Expressed in trachea and mammary gland. Weakly expressed in testis and kidney. Highly expressed in corneal epithelium, colon and trachea. Moderately expressed in brain, urogenital organs, bladder, uterus and prostate. Highly expressed in tissues containing stratified epithelium including cornea, esophagus, larynx, skin and vagina than those tissues which contain only epithelial monolayers. Expressed in normal breast epithelium but not in breast cancer. Highly expressed during epithelial stratification. Expressed in endothelial cells of lung. Expressed selectively in endothelia of small pulmonary arteries, arterioles, and subpleural and interlobular venules. Significantly down-regulated in breast and colorectal cancer. The metalloprotease region is responsible for autoproteolytic processing. It can also cross-cleave other CLCA substrates. The 141 kDa mature form is autoproteolytically cleaved by the metalloprotease domain, producing a 109 kDa form and a 35 kDa form. The cleavage is necessary for calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) activation activity. N-glycosylated. Belongs to the CLCR family.