This protein is associated with nerve growth. It is a major component of the motile 'growth cones' that form the tips of elongating axons. Plays a role in axonal and dendritic filopodia induction (By similarity). Binds calmodulin with a greater affinity in the absence of Ca(2+) than in its presence. Expressed in neurons. First expressed in the body and head at embryonic stage E3 (PubMed:2153895). Expressed in the mid-thoracic region of embryos and also in the spinal cord, dorsal root and sympathetic ganglia at embryonic stage E10 (PubMed:2153895). Highly expressed in the brain at embryonic stage E13 (PubMed:2153895). Expressed at low levels in the gut at embryonic stage E16 (PubMed:2153895). Not expressed in heart, skeletal muscle or liver at embryonic stage E16 (PubMed:2153895). Palmitoylated (PubMed:9813098). Palmitoylation is essential for plasma membrane association (PubMed:9813098). Belongs to the neuromodulin family.