This gene encodes a transmembrane protein that is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It is involved in the degradation process of misfolded proteins in the ER, and may also have a role in inflammation control. This protein is a selenoprotein, containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine (Sec). Sec is encoded by the UGA codon, which normally signals translation termination. The 3' UTRs of selenoprotein mRNAs contain a conserved stem-loop structure, designated the Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element, that is necessary for the recognition of UGA as a Sec codon, rather than as a stop signal. Two additional stem-loop structures in the 3' UTR have been shown to function as modulators of Sec insertion in this protein. A homeolog of this gene is found on chromosome 3L. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2017].