Acts as a mediator of epithelial dynamics and organ branching by promoting cleft progression. Induced following accumulation of fibronectin in forming clefts, leading to local expression of the cell-scattering SNAIL2 and suppression of E-cadherin levels, thereby altering cell morphology and reducing cell-cell adhesion. This stimulates cell separation at the base of forming clefts by local, dynamic intercellular gap formation and promotes cleft progression. Specifically expressed in embryonic epithelia. Highly expressed in developing salivary glands at 13 dpc, a stage of particularly active salivary gland branching. Concentrated around the bottom and lower sides of forming clefts, while it is weakly or not expressed in other salivary epithelial regions. Also expressed in mesenchyme containing high levels of fibronectin. By fibronectin. Extended N-terminus.