This gene encodes a member of the alpha chemokine protein family. The encoded protein is secreted and functions as the ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4. The encoded protein plays a role in many diverse cellular functions, including embryogenesis, immune surveillance, inflammation response, tissue homeostasis, and tumor growth and metastasis. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, May 2013]