Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.1.0)
Enables copper ion binding activity. Involved in intracellular iron ion homeostasis and negative regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including defense response to other organism; multicellular organismal-level iron ion homeostasis; and positive regulation of macromolecule metabolic process. Located in extracellular space and nucleus. Is expressed in embryo; liver; and yolk sac. Used to study hemochromatosis type 2B. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in anemia; hemochromatosis; hemochromatosis type 2B; and hepatocellular carcinoma. Orthologous to human HAMP (hepcidin antimicrobial peptide).