May play roles in mucosal defense system and cellular immune defense. 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 macrophage 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. Interacts with LGALS3. Binds SPAR in a calcium-dependent manner (By similarity). Binds SFTPD in a calcium-dependent manner. Localized to the lumenal aspect of crypt cells in the small intestine. In the colon, seen in the lumenal aspect of surface epithelial cells. Formed in the ducts of von Ebner gland and released into the fluid bathing the taste buds contained in the taste papillae. In the CFTR knockout mouse, enhanced on the acinar luminar surface. Strongly expressed in acini and duct epithelial cells of the exocrine pancreas but not in the islets of Langerhans. Expressed in gall bladder, salivary glands and in the epithelium lining larger hepatic ducts, but not in the liver parenchyma, stomach or lung. Expressed along the intestinal tract including duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon (at protein level). Expressed in glands associated with vomeronasal tissues. Expressed in the vomeronasal gland and posterior gland of nasal septum. Weakly expressed in lateral nasal gland. CFTR knockout mice show increased expression in pancreas, duodenum and small intestine but not in gall bladder. In pancreas and small intestine, increased expression occurs after the appearance of dilated lumina. Present in the 3.5 dpc blastocyst. Levels increase to a maximum between 18.5 dpc and birth and decrease gradually between birth and adulthood with the greatest decreases occurring between neonate and P1 and between P9 and P16 (at protein level). Expressed in the primitive endoderm at 4.5 dpc. At 9.5 dpc, expressed in midbrain, notochord, liver primordium, midgut and hindgut. The SRCR domains mediate binding to bacteria. Highly N- and O-glycosylated. The O-glycans are heavily sulfated. O-glycosylation and sulfation in pancreatic acinar cells are required for zymogen granule maturation. Glycoconjugate composition changes during development with fucose only acquired post-natally during weaning. Variable phenotypes have been reported. In some studies mice display normal development and viability with impaired exocrine pancreatic function and no development of gastrointestinal tumors (PubMed:17983803 and PubMed:18202109). In other studies mice die between 4.5 dpc and 5.5 dpc due to defects in the differentiation of the primitive endoderm layer (PubMed:15452149). Belongs to the DMBT1 family.