Predicted to enable gap junction channel activity. Predicted to be involved in cell-cell signaling. Predicted to act upstream of or within cell communication. Predicted to be located in gap junction and plasma membrane. Predicted to be part of connexin complex. Is expressed in several structures, including heart; liver; nervous system; otic vesicle; and pleuroperitoneal region. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease X-linked dominant 1. Orthologous to human GJB1 (gap junction protein beta 1).