The protein encoded by this gene is an integrin ligand. It plays an important role in mediating angiogenesis and may be important in vessel wall remodeling and development. It also influences endothelial cell behavior.
Rezaee M, Penta K, Quertermous T (2002). "Del1 mediates VSMC adhesion, migration, and proliferation through interaction with integrin alpha(v)beta(3)". Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 282 (5): H1924–32. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00921.2001. PMID11959660.
Aoka Y, Johnson FL, Penta K, Hirata Ki K, Hidai C, Schatzman R, Varner JA, Quertermous T (2002). "The embryonic angiogenic factor Del1 accelerates tumor growth by enhancing vascular formation". Microvascular Research. 64 (1): 148–61. doi:10.1006/mvre.2002.2414. PMID12074641.
Niu JX, Zhang WJ, Ye LY, Wu LQ, Zhu GJ, Yang ZH, Grau GE, Lou JN (2007). "The role of adhesion molecules, alpha v beta 3, alpha v beta 5 and their ligands in the tumor cell and endothelial cell adhesion". Eur. J. Cancer Prev. 16 (6): 517–27. doi:10.1097/CEJ.0b013e3280145c00. PMID18090124. S2CID1825380.