ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that plays a role in lipid homeostasis and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis (By similarity). Binds APOA1 and may function in apolipoprotein-mediated phospholipid efflux from cells (By similarity). May also mediate cholesterol efflux (By similarity). May regulate cellular ceramide homeostasis during keratinocyte differentiation (By similarity). Involved in lipid raft organization and CD1D localization on thymocytes and antigen-presenting cells, which plays an important role in natural killer T-cell development and activation (By similarity). Plays a role in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages (By similarity). Macrophage phagocytosis is stimulated by APOA1 or APOA2, probably by stabilization of ABCA7 (By similarity). Also involved in phagocytic clearance of amyloid-beta by microglia cells and macrophages (By similarity). Further limits amyloid-beta production by playing a role in the regulation of amyloid-beta A4 precursor protein (APP) endocytosis and/or processing (By similarity). Localizes to cell membrane ruffles and phagocytic cups of macrophages stimulated with C1q or apoptotic cells. Localizes to the cytoplasm of resting macrophages, probably in Golgi and endosomes. Localizes to the apical brush border of cells in the proximal tubules of kidney. Expressed in blood cells. Also detected in brain and ovary tissues (at protein level). Expressed in platelet. N-glycosylated. Belongs to the ABC transporter superfamily. ABCA family. There are conflicting results concerning the role of ABCA7 in lipid transport. ABCA7 was described to play a role in apolipoprotein-mediated phospholipid and cholesterol efflux when expressed in HEK293 cells (By similarity). However, another report shows that ABCA7 deficiency does not influence cholesterol and phospholipid efflux in mouse primary macrophages, but leads to lower serum HDL cholesterol levels and a reduction in fat mass in female mice (By similarity).