This gene encodes a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein coagulation factor that plays an important role in the process of blood coagulation and hemostasis. The encoded protein is an inactive zymogen that undergoes enzymatic cleavage by the coagulation factor Xa to form an active serine protease that converts soluble fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin clot. Most of the mice lacking the encoded protein die at an embryonic stage due to defects in yolk sac vasculature, while the rare nenonates succumb to hemorrhage on the first postnatal day. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2015]
