Could play pivotal roles in cell cycle and DNA regulation. Involved in innate immune defense against viruse by positively regulating the viral dsRNA receptors DDX58 and IFIH1 signaling pathways. Involves in NOD2- and NOD1-mediated responses to bacteria suggesting a role in innate antibacterial immune pathways too. Could play a central role for the formation and/or maintenance of the blood vessels of the circulation system (PubMed:19619540). Interacts (via N-terminus) with NOD2. Interacts with CDK2, MCM3, MCM5, MCM7, CDC6 and PCNA. Interacts with MAVS and IFIH1. Interacts (via the second ankyrin repeat cluster) with DDX58. Detected around the nucleolus. The N-terminus of another isoform lacking the first 141 amino acids is described in. Highly expressed in fetal liver. Detected in adult liver cells, ovarian oocytes, seminiferous tubules of the testes and pelvic region of the kidney. It was not detected in heart, gut, lung, spleen and skeletal muscle. Earliest specific in situ marker of hepatic differentiation during embryogenesis, useful for characterization of inductive events involved in hepatic specification. Expressed at 8.0-8.5 dpc in the foregut endoderm and at 9.5 dpc in cells migrating into the septum transversum. At 10.5 dpc, highly expressed exclusively in the fetal liver. From 10.5 dpc, expressed in the developing liver throughout gestation and in neonates. At 17.5 dpc, detected in the dorsal root ganglia of the peripheral nervous system. Phosphorylated by CDK2. Deficient mice display embryonic lethality during organogenesis with hemorrhages, impaired vascular smooth muscle cell development, impaired vascular integrity and growth retardation. The sequence differs from that shown because it seems to be derived from a pre-mRNA.