May play roles in mucosal defense system, cellular immune defense and epithelial differentiation (By similarity). May play a role in liver regeneration. May be an important factor in fate decision and differentiation of transit-amplifying ductular (oval) cells within the hepatic lineage. May function as a binding protein in saliva for the regulation of taste sensation. May play a role as an opsonin receptor for SFTPD and SPAR in macrophages tissues throughout the body, including epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract (By similarity). Required for terminal differentiation of columnar epithelial cells during early embryogenesis. Displays a broad calcium-dependent binding spectrum against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting a role in defense against bacterial pathogens. Binds to a range of poly-sulfated and poly-phosphorylated ligands which may explain its broad bacterial-binding specificity. Inhibits cytoinvasion of S.enterica. Associates with the actin cytoskeleton and is involved in its remodeling during regulated exocytosis. Interacts with pancreatic zymogens in a pH-dependent manner and may act as a Golgi cargo receptor in the regulated secretory pathway of the pancreatic acinar cell (By similarity). Binds SFTPD and SPAR in a calcium-dependent manner (By similarity). Interacts with LGALS3. Localized to the lumenal aspect of crypt cells in the small intestine. In the colon, seen in the lumenal aspect of surface epithelial cells (By similarity). Formed in the ducts of von Ebner gland and released into the fluid bathing the taste buds contained in the taste papillae. Expressed in von Ebner glands (VEG) (at protein level), olfactory epithelium and the lateral nasal gland. Expressed in transit-amplifying ductular (oval) cells. Up-regulated at day 3 after hepatectomy. Expressed in newly formed bile ducts and in structures resembling intestinal epithelium. The SRCR domains mediate binding to bacteria. Highly N- and O-glycosylated. The O-glycans are heavily sulfated (By similarity). Belongs to the DMBT1 family.