Microtubule inner protein (MIP) part of the dynein-decorated doublet microtubules (DMTs) in cilia axoneme, which is required for motile cilia beating . Suppresses cell death induced by accumulation of unfolded Pael receptor (Pael-R, a substrate of Parkin). Facilitates the formation of inclusions consisting of Pael-R, molecular chaperones, protein degradation molecules and itself when proteasome is inhibited. May play an important role in the formation of Lewy bodies and protection of dopaminergic neurons against Parkinson disease .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Cilium axoneme
Expressed in all immune tissues, spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, tonsils, leukocyte and bone marrow. Expressed also in heart, brain, skeletal muscle, kidney, lung and pancreas. Expressed in primary Schwann cells and very weakly by monocyte-derived macrophages the primary host cells of Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. Component of Lewy bodies, intraneuronal inclusions found in the brain of Parkinson disease patients.