Probable ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that plays a role in lipid homeostasis and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis (PubMed:12917409, PubMed:15550377, PubMed:16908670, PubMed:27472885, PubMed:27030769, PubMed:20495215). Binds APOA1 and may function in apolipoprotein-mediated phospholipid efflux from cells (PubMed:12917409). 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 (PubMed:28091533). Plays a role in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages (PubMed:16908670). Macrophage phagocytosis is stimulated by APOA1 or APOA2, probably by stabilization of ABCA7 (PubMed:20495215). Also involved in phagocytic clearance of amyloid-beta by microglia cells and macrophages (PubMed:27472885). Further limits amyloid-beta production by playing a role in the regulation of amyloid-beta A4 precursor protein (APP) endocytosis and/or processing (PubMed:26260791, PubMed:27030769). 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 (PubMed:16908670). Localizes to the apical brush border of cells in the proximal tubules of kidney (Probable). Widely expressed with higher expression in brain, lung, adrenal gland, spleen and hematopoietic tissues (at protein level) (PubMed:12917409, PubMed:15550377, PubMed:27472885). In the brain, expressed in cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, neurons, astrocytes and microglia (at protein level) (PubMed:26260791). Also expressed in adipocytes and macrophages (at protein level) (PubMed:15550377, PubMed:27472885). Expressed in thymocytes (at protein level) (PubMed:28091533). Highly expressed in spleen and hematopoietic tissues (PubMed:11435699). Expressed in brain, lung, macrophages, microglia, oligodendrocytes and neurons (PubMed:27472885). Widely expressed during embryogenesis (PubMed:11435699). Expressed in newborn mice with increasing expression from 4 to 24 weeks of age (PubMed:26260791). Up-regulated during differentiation from monocytes to macrophages (PubMed:27472885). Down-regulated by digoxin. N-glycosylated. According to one study, knockout mice are not viable and heterozygous knockout mice display impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (PubMed:16908670). However, another study shows that knockout mice are viable and females have less visceral fat and lower total serum and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (PubMed:15550377). Knockout mice exhibit altered lipid profile in mouse brains, compromised spatial memory and increased BACE1 activity (PubMed:27030769). Display an increase in amyloid-beta protein 42 (Abeta42) from 4 to 24 weeks of age, whereas amyloid-beta protein 40 (Abeta40) is increased at 4 weeks and decreased at 24 weeks of age (PubMed:26260791). Increased endocytotic uptake of APP into endosomes in primary microglia cells (PubMed:26260791). Reduced phagocytic uptake of Abeta42 and Abeta40 by microglia cells and phagocytes (PubMed:27472885). Decreased macrophage phagocytosis in the peritoneal cavity (PubMed:20495215). Decreased surface CD1D expression on double positive thymocytes, on antigen-presenting thymocytes, on peripheral antigen-presenting cells in the spleen and on peritoneal macrophages (PubMed:28091533). Increased accumulation of CD1D to late endosomes (PubMed:28091533). Impaired natural killer T (NKT) cell development with a 2-fold decrease in frequencies and total numbers of NKT cells in the thymus and a reduction of peripheral NKT cells in spleen and liver (PubMed:28091533). Reduced proliferation during early stages of NKT development and reduced expression of Egr2 in NKT cells (PubMed:28091533). Decreased number of plasma membrane lipid rafts on thymocytes and a reduction of CAV1 and CD1D clusters in macrophages (PubMed:28091533). RNAi-mediated knockdown reduces phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages (PubMed:16908670). 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 (PubMed:12917409, PubMed:27472885). 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 (PubMed:15550377).