This gene is a member of the sulfatase family, and more specifically, the arylsulfatase subfamily. Members of the subfamily share similarity in sequence and splice sites, and are clustered together on chromosome X, suggesting that they are derived from recent gene duplication events. Sulfatases are essential for the correct composition of bone and cartilage matrix. The activity of this protein, unlike that of arylsulfatase E, is not inhibited by warfarin. Multiple alternatively spliced variants, encoding the same protein, have been identified.[provided by RefSeq, Jan 2011].