This gene complements the ultraviolet sensitivity of xeroderma pigmentosum group C cells and encodes a protein with a C2 domain. The protein activates the Beclin1-PI(3)KC3 complex, promoting autophagy and suppressing the proliferation and tumorigenicity of human colon cancer cells. Chromosomal aberrations involving this gene are associated with left-right axis malformation and mutations in this gene have been associated with colon cancer.
Versatile protein that is involved in regulation of differenent cellular pathways implicated in membrane trafficking. Involved in regulation of the COPI-dependent retrograde transport from Golgi and the endoplasmic reticulum by associating with the NRZ complex; the function is dependent on its binding to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P) (PubMed:24056303). During autophagy acts as regulatory subunit of the alternative PI3K complex II (PI3KC3-C2) that mediates formation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and is believed to be involved in maturation of autophagosomes and endocytosis. Activates lipid kinase activity of PIK3C3. Involved in the regulation of degradative endocytic trafficking and cytokinesis, and in regulation of ATG9A transport from the Golgi to the autophagosome; the functions seems to implicate its association with PI3KC3-C2 (PubMed:16799551, PubMed:20643123, PubMed:24056303). Involved in maturation of autophagosomes and degradative endocytic trafficking independently of BECN1 but depending on its association with a class C Vps complex (possibly the HOPS complex); the association is also proposed to promote autophagosome recruitment and activation of Rab7 and endosome-endosome fusion events (PubMed:18552835). Enhances class C Vps complex (possibly HOPS complex) association with a SNARE complex and promotes fusogenic SNARE complex formation during late endocytic membrane fusion (PubMed:24550300). In case of negative-strand RNA virus infection is required for efficient virus entry, promotes endocytic transport of virions and is implicated in a VAMP8-specific fusogenic SNARE complex assembly (PubMed:24550300). Involved in maintaining chromosomal stability. Promotes DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by association with DNA- dependent protein kinase complex DNA-PK and activating it in non- homologous end joining (NHEJ) (PubMed:22542840). Required for centrosome stability and proper chromosome segregation (PubMed:22542840).