The protein encoded by this gene is a calcium-dependent glycoprotein that is a member of the desmocollin subfamily of the cadherin superfamily. These desmosomal family members, along with the desmogleins, are found primarily in epithelial cells where they constitute the adhesive proteins of the desmosome cell-cell junction and are required for cell adhesion and desmosome formation. The desmosomal family members are arranged in two clusters on chromosome 18, occupying less than 650 kb combined

This gene encodes a cytoskeletal protein that is required for organizing the actin cytoskeleton. The protein is a component of actin-containing microfilaments, and it is involved in the control of cell shape, adhesion, and contraction. Polymorphisms in this gene are associated with a susceptibility to pancreatic cancer type 1, and also with a risk for myocardial infarction. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]

The HRPT2 gene product, parafibromin, is a tumor suppressor protein that is part of the human Paf1 complex. The yeast counterpart to this complex is part of the RNA polymerase II complex as well, and is important for histone modification and connections to posttranscriptional events. Human parafibromin also associates with the RNA polymerase II large subunit.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) require coreceptors to enter and infect target cells. They are dependent upon an interaction between the viral envelope glycoprotein with T cell antigen T4 (CD4) and a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR). HIV1 infection relies upon interaction with a chemokine receptor, usually chemokine (C-C) receptor 5 (CCR5). During progression of the infection, the virus tends to rely upon chemokine (C-X-C) receptor 4 (CXCR4). SIV a