The protein encoded by this gene is a scavenger receptor that is expressed in endothelial cells. It regulates the uptake of chemically modified low density lipoproteins, including acetylated low density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL), and it may be involved in atherogenesis. This gene is regulated by the transcription factors ZNF444/EZF-2 and SP1. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2013].