This gene encodes a protein containing multiple PDZ (post synaptic density protein, Drosophila disc large tumor suppressor, and zonula occludens-1 protein) domains. The encoded protein acts as a mediator between cytoskeletal and membrane proteins, particularly in neuronal cells, and facilitates complex formation at the cell membrane. Mutation of this gene can cause embryonic lethality resulting from defects of the dermo-epidermal junction. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2013]