HSPA13 belongs to the heat shock protein 70 family and is related to microsomes. Members of this protein family take part in the processing of cytosolic and secretory proteins, in addition to the exclusion of denatured or incorrectly-folded proteins. HSPA13 is known to cooperate with PLIC-1 and PLIC-2, proteins which have a role in the signaling connection between the membrane receptors for thrombospondin and the cytoskeleton.