該基因編碼一種Ⅲ型中間絲蛋白中間絲，連同微管和肌動蛋白微絲，構成細胞骨架編碼蛋白負責維持細胞的形狀和細胞質的完整性，并穩定細胞與骨骼的相互作用。該蛋白參與神經纖維生成和膽固醇轉運，并作為參與細胞附著、遷移和信號傳導的其他一些關鍵蛋白的組織者發揮作用細菌和病毒病原體在宿主細胞表面附著這種蛋白質該基因突變與人類先天性白內障有關。
This gene encodes a type III intermediate filament protein. Intermediate filaments, along with microtubules and actin microfilaments, make up the cytoskeleton. The encoded protein is responsible for maintaining cell shape and integrity of the cytoplasm, and stabilizing cytoskeletal interactions. This protein is involved in neuritogenesis and cholesterol transport and functions as an organizer of a number of other critical proteins involved in cell attachment, migration, and signaling. Bacterial and viral pathogens have been shown to attach to this protein on the host cell surface. Mutations in this gene are associated with congenital cataracts in human patients.