This gene encodes a precursor protein that is cleaved into two products, megakaryocyte potentiating factor and mesothelin. Megakaryocyte potentiation factor functions as a cytokine that can stimulate colony formation in bone marrow megakaryocytes. Mesothelian is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored cell-surface protein that may function as a cell adhesion protein. This protein is overexpressed in epithelial mesotheliomas, ovarian cancers and in specific squamous cell carcinomas. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.
