This gene encodes a protein involved in
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation. The encoded protein removes unfolded proteins, accumulated during
ER stress, by retrograde transport to the
cytosol from the ER. This protein also uses the
ubiquitin-proteasome system for additional degradation of unfolded proteins. This gene and the mitochondrial ribosomal protein L49 gene use in their respective 3' UTRs some of the same genomic sequence. Sequence analysis identified two transcript variants that encode different isoforms. == References ==