This gene encodes a member of the palate, lung and nasal epithelium clone (Plunc) family of proteins. Members of this family have been proposed to play a role in the local antibacterial response in nose, mouth and upper respiratory pathways. The encoded soluble salivary protein binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibits bacterial growth. This gene is present in a gene cluster on chromosome 20. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2016].