This gene encodes a member of a family of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-metabolizing molecular chaperones with roles in stabilizing and folding other proteins. The encoded protein is localized to melanosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum. Expression of this protein is associated with a variety of pathogenic states, including tumor formation. There is a microRNA gene located within the 5' exon of this gene. There are pseudogenes for this gene on chromosomes 1 and 15.