This gene encodes a MHC class I-like molecule involved in the presentation of lipid antigens to T cells, and is involved in the activation of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells. The gene is highly similar to the CD1d1 antigen gene, which is located adjacent to this gene in a tail-to-tail fashion. This gene contains a frameshift and does not produce a functional product in the C57BL/6 strain. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2013]

