Required for normal hearing . It is necessary for the formation of stereocilia in the inner ear and normal development of the organ of Corti (By similarity). Can insert into membranes and form poorly selective ion channels that may also transport chloride ions. May play a role in the regulation of transepithelial ion absorption and secretion. Is required for the development and/or maintenance of the proper glomerular endothelial cell and podocyte architecture ( ). Plays a role in formation of the lens suture in the eye, which is important for normal optical properties of the lens (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Cytoplasm, Cell cortex, Membrane, Apical cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Mitochondrion
Associates with the cortical actin cytoskeleton (, ). Localizes to the apical region of cochlear hair cells, at the base of the actin-rich hair bundle (By similarity). Colocalizes with podocalyxin at the apical cell membrane in renal glomeruli . May localize to the centrosome in lens epithelial cells (By similarity). Exists both as soluble cytoplasmic protein and as membrane protein with probably a single transmembrane domain (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Golgi apparatus, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Microtubule organizing center, Centrosome
Colocalizes with AKAP9 at the Golgi apparatus as well as, to a lesser extent, the centrosome.
Widely expressed in both fetal and adult human tissues . Isoform 1 is expressed in renal glomeruli endothelial cells and podocytes (at protein level).