Predicted to enable calcium ion binding activity. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including cartilage development; collagen fibril organization; and proteoglycan biosynthetic process. Located in GABA-ergic synapse; basement membrane; and glutamatergic synapse. Is active in perisynaptic extracellular matrix. Is expressed in several structures, including genitourinary system; limb; main olfactory bulb; sensory organ; and skeletal system. Used to study achondroplasia. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia Kimberley type. Orthologous to human ACAN (aggrecan). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]