This gene encodes a member of the semaphorin protein family which regulates axon growth during development of the nervous system. The encoded protein has a characteristic Sema domain near the N-terminus, through which semaphorins bind to plexin, and five thrombospondin type 1 repeats in the C-terminal region of the protein. The protein product may be cleaved and exist as a secreted molecule (PMID: 19463192). Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2012].