This gene encodes a component of the motor complex, cytoplasmic dynein, which transports cellular cargo along microtubules in the cell. The encoded protein regulates the length of primary cilia which are sensory organelles found on the surface of cells. The protein encoded by this gene interacts with viral proteins, like the minor capsid protein L2 of human papillomavirus, and is required for dynein-mediated delivery of the viral nucleic acid to the host nucleus. This protein interacts with oncogenic nucleoporins to disrupt gene regulation and cause leukemic transformation. Pseudogenes of this gene are present on chromosomes 4 and 17. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.