Calcium-dependent lectin that acts as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) of the innate immune system: recognizes damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) of abnormal self and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of bacteria and fungi (PubMed:18509109, PubMed:18490740, PubMed:18776906, PubMed:20008526, PubMed:19171887, PubMed:23602766). The PAMPs notably include mycobacterial trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM), a cell wall glycolipid with potent adjuvant immunomodulatory functions (PubMed:20008526, PubMed:23602766). Interacts with signaling adapter Fc receptor gamma chain/FCER1G to form a functional complex in myeloid cells (PubMed:23602766, PubMed:18776906). Binding of mycobacterial trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) to this receptor complex leads to phosphorylation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) of FCER1G, triggering activation of SYK, CARD9 and NF-kappa-B, consequently driving maturation of antigen-presenting cells and shaping antigen-specific priming of T-cells toward effector T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cell subtypes (PubMed:23602766). Also recognizes alpha-mannose residues on pathogenic fungi of the genus Malassezia and mediates macrophage activation (PubMed:19171887). Through recognition of DAMPs released upon nonhomeostatic cell death, enables immune sensing of damaged self and promotes inflammatory cell infiltration into the damaged tissue (PubMed:18776906). Monomer and homodimer (PubMed:18509109). Interacts with signaling adapter Fc receptor gamma chain/FCER1G to form a functional complex; the interaction is direct (PubMed:23602766). Alternatively, acts as a bridge for interaction between CLEC4D and FCER1G. A heterodimer of CLEC4E and CLEC4D associates with FCER1G to form a functional complex (By similarity). Interacts with SAP130 nuclear protein that is released from necrotic cells; the interaction is direct (PubMed:23602766). Highly expressed in macrophages in response to stimulation with bacterial glycolipids and pro-inflammatory cytokines (PubMed:10528209). Expressed in dendritic cells (at protein level) in response to stimulation with mycobacterial trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) (PubMed:23602766). Expression is induced upon exposure to bacterial glycolipids including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and mycobacterial trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) and several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFNG and TNF (PubMed:10528209, PubMed:23602766). Rapidly induced in thymus in response to whole-body irradiation and excessive cell death (PubMed:18776906). Induced in macrophages in response to C.albicans infection (PubMed:18490740). Knockout mice are born at the expected Mendelian rate (PubMed:19171887, PubMed:23602766). When compared to wild-type littermates, deficient mice show resistance to lethal systemic inflammation caused by exposure to mycobacterial cord factor/trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) (PubMed:23602766). Mice are also susceptibility to systemic candidiasis (PubMed:18490740). Mincle