Predicted to be an extracellular matrix structural constituent. Acts upstream of or within camera-type eye morphogenesis; epithelial cell proliferation; and positive regulation of cell-substrate adhesion. Located in collagen-containing extracellular matrix and extracellular space. Is expressed in several structures, including brain; gut; heart; limb mesenchyme; and skeleton. Orthologous to human COL8A1 (collagen type VIII alpha 1 chain). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]