This gene encodes a protein that is a component of the dynein-2 microtubule motor protein complex that plays a role in the retrograde transport of cargo in primary cilia via the intraflagellar transport system. This gene is ubiquitously expressed and its protein, which localizes to the axoneme and Golgi apparatus, interacts directly with the cytoplasmic dynein 2 heavy chain 1 protein to form part of the multi-protein dynein-2 complex. Mutations in this gene produce defects in the dynein-2 complex which result in several types of ciliopathy including short-rib thoracic dysplasia 15 with polydactyly (SRTD15). Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms.