Bifunctional growth regulator. May contribute to the rapid growth of cartilage and vascular invasion prior to the replacement of cartilage by bone during endochondral bone development. Plays a role as antiangiogenic factor in cardiac valves to suppress neovascularization (By similarity). Accumulated in the inter-territorial matrix of cartilage. Expressed in the cartilage and in fetal precartilaginous tissues as well as in heart and eye. Expression onset occurs between stage 10 and stage 13. After cleavage, the post-translationally modified ChM-I is secreted as a glycoprotein. Belongs to the chondromodulin-1 family.