Involved in teeth and skeletal development. Has an essential role in the biosynthesis and trafficking of glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins, to produce a proper functioning extracellular matrix. Required for extracellular matrix mineralization (PubMed:30082715, PubMed:29878199). Also involved in the regulation of cellular calcium homeostasis (PubMed:30082715, PubMed:31191616). Does not show transport activity towards bile acids or steroid sulfates (including taurocholate, cholate, chenodeoxycholate, estrone-3-sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and pregnenolone sulfate). Widely expressed (PubMed:15932064, PubMed:17628207). Expressed at high levels in liver and at lower levels in prostate, placenta, kidney, heart, lung, thymus and spleen (PubMed:15932064, PubMed:17628207). Strongly expressed in testis and also detected in brain, ovary, colon and small intestine (PubMed:17628207). Weakly expressed in testis and not detected in brain, ovary, colon or small intestine (PubMed:15932064). Isoform 1: Expressed in liver, testis and placenta (PubMed:17628207). Isoform 4: Expressed in liver, testis and placenta (PubMed:17628207). Detected in the heart and vertebrae in embryos at 8 weeks of gestation (Carnegie stage 16), and in the long-bone cartilage at 9 weeks (Carnegie stages 19). The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the bile acid:sodium symporter (BASS) (TC 2.A.28) family. Truncated N-terminus.