The protein encoded by this gene is a Golgi membrane-associated prostaglandin E synthase candidate, which is capable of catalyzing the conversion of prostaglandin H2 to prostaglandin E2 in vitro. However, a study using mice deficient of this gene suggests that this enzyme does not contribute to prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis in vivo. This protein is synthesized as a Golgi membrane-bound protein, but its N-terminal hydrophobic region is cleaved off during protein maturation to produce the predominant soluble truncated form that still retains the enzyme activity. This soluble protein also has been shown to activate the transcription regulated by a gamma-interferon-activated transcription element (GATE), possibly via an interaction with CAAAT/enhancer-binding protein-beta. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]