Predicted to enable several functions, including heme binding activity; hemoglobin alpha binding activity; and oxygen carrier activity. Predicted to contribute to haptoglobin binding activity and peroxidase activity. Acts upstream of or within negative regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. Predicted to be part of haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex and hemoglobin complex. Is expressed in several structures, including blood; extraembryonic component; genitourinary system; limb; and nervous system. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in sickle cell anemia. Orthologous to human HBE1 (hemoglobin subunit epsilon 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]