The protein encoded by this gene binds arginine-vasopressin and may be involved in the arginine-vasopressin-mediated regulation of renal salt-water balance. The encoded protein also mediates inflammatory responses in the colon to allow recovery from intestinal epithelial damage and protects against tumorigenesis and the development of colitis. Finally, this protein can increase activation of NF-kappa-B, activation of CASP1 through interaction with ASC, and cAMP accumulation. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2013].