Involved in the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria coupling. Negatively regulates the ER-mitochondria distance and Ca(2+) transfer from ER to mitochondria possibly implicating it in the regulation of apoptosis . May collaborate with RNF183 to restrain BIK protein levels thus regulating apoptotic signaling .
Subcellular locations: Mitochondrion, Mitochondrion outer membrane, Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Localized to specific membrane structures termed mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) which connect the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria. Also associated with the outer surface of mitochondria at sites that are not in close contact with the ER.
Testis-specific in fetus (aged from 6 to 11 weeks). In adult, expressed predominantly in testis, with some expression in lung, heart, kidney, adrenal gland and whole brain . Highly expressed in certain types of cancer tissues such as hepatocellular carcinoma, colon and gastric cancer. Weakly expressed in normal pancreas .