May be involved in the cell-cell adhesion. May play a role in adipocyte differentiation and development of obesity. Is required for normal small intestine development (By similarity). Predominantly expressed in the white adipose tissue. At 6 weeks of age, detected in mesenteric and retroperitoneal fat pads. Expression prominently increases in mesenteric and subdermal adipose tissues at 30 weeks and is barely detectable at 50 weeks. Up-regulated in mature adipocytes and adipocyte tissue of obese animals.