The protein encoded by this gene is a type II membrane protein that can be cleaved by furin to produce a secreted form. The encoded protein; which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor family; acts as a homotrimer and may be involved in cell-cell signaling during the development of ectodermal organs. Defects in this gene are a cause of ectodermal dysplasia; anhidrotic; which is also known as X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Several transcript variants encoding many different isoforms have been found for this gene.