This gene encodes a mitochondrial protein that interacts with reticulon 4, which is a potent inhibitor of regeneration following spinal cord injury. This interaction may be important for reticulon-induced inhibition of neurite growth. Mutations in this gene can cause optic atrophy 10, with or without ataxia, mental retardation, and seizures. There is a pseudogene for this gene on chromosome 12. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.