Plays a role in alae formation in L1 and dauer stage larvae. Expressed in seam cells in three-fold stage embryos and during dauer larvae formation (PubMed:15936343). Not expressed in adults (PubMed:15936343). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in disrupted alae formation in L1 and dauer stage larvae with alae often present on only one side of the larvae.