May be responsible for anchoring smooth muscle cells to elastic fibers, and may be involved not only in the formation of the elastic fiber, but also in the processes that regulate vessel assembly. Has cell adhesive capacity. Major component of the cochlear basilar membrane (BM) which may contribute to the developmental assembly or function of the BM. Homotrimer associated through a moderately stable interaction of the C-terminal globular C1q domains, allowing the nucleation of the triple helix and then a further quaternary assembly to higher-order polymers via intermolecular disulfide bonds (By similarity). Interacts with EMILIN1. Found mainly at the interface between amorphous elastin and microfibrils. Highest levels are present in cochlea of P8 pups, followed by modest levels in adult heart and lung, and much lower levels in forebrain, brainstem, cerebellum and hypothalamus. Very low levels detected in muscle, liver, kidney and eye. Low levels detected in cochlea in neonatal pups at P1. Levels increased 2-fold by P5 and rose further to 16-fold at P13. Expression declined somewhat in adult mice. At 9.5 dpc, as during all stages of development, it is strongly expressed in the neural fold, the limbbuds and the heart.