This gene encodes a member of a subclass of dynein light chains. The encoded protein homodimerizes and forms the light chain component of the cytoplasmic dynein motor protein complex. This protein may be important for binding dynein to specific cargos including the spindle checkpoint protein BUB3. This protein may also function independently of dynein as a transcriptional modulator. Pseudogenes of this gene are found on chromosomes 2 and 20.