This gene encodes a protein involved in the regulation of the complement cascade. The encoded glycoprotein is also known as the decay-accelerating factor (DAF); binding of DAF to complement proteins accelerates their decay, disrupting the cascade and preventing damage to host cells. Antigens present on the DAF glycoprotein constitute the Cromer blood group system (CROM). Two alternatively spliced transcripts encoding different proteins have been identified. The predominant transcript encodes a membrane-bound protein expressed on cells exposed to plasma component proteins but an alternatively spliced transcript produces a soluble protein present at much lower levels. Additional, alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described, but their biological validity has not been determined.