This gene encodes a member of the 'fused gene' family of proteins, which contain N-terminus EF-hand domains and multiple tandem peptide repeats. The encoded protein contains two EF-hand Ca2+ binding domains in its N-terminus and two glutamine- and threonine-rich 60 amino acid repeats in its C-terminus. This gene, also known as squamous epithelial heat shock protein 53, may play a role in the mucosal/epithelial immune response and epidermal differentiation. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2009].