It is involved in synaptogenesis and promotes excitatory synapse differentiation (PubMed:27273464, PubMed:27812321). Enhances neuronal dendrite outgrowth (PubMed:16224024, PubMed:19640509). Can form homodimers; homodimerization requires repeat LRR 2 (PubMed:27273464). Interacts with YWHAB, YWHAE, YWHAG, YWHAH, SFN, YWHAQ and YWHAZ (PubMed:19640509). Expressed predominantly in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex of the brain. Also expressed in some astrocytic brain tumors such as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, glioblastomas, gangliogliomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors. At 20 weeks of gestation, expressed in multiple brain regions, including the developing neo-cortical plate, subplate zone, striatum, globus pallidus, thalamus and subthalamus. Undergoes proteolytic cleavage that results in shedding of the ectodomain and cleavage of the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Glycosylated. Phosphorylation at Ser-695 is necessary for proper function in promoting neurite outgrowth. The disease may be caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the SLITRK family. Out of the ordinary - Issue 187 of January 2017