This gene encodes a protein with sequence similarity to the yeast Vps53p protein. Vps53p is involved in retrograde vesicle trafficking in late Golgi. May be involved in retrograde transport of early and late endosomes to the late Golgi. The GARP complex is required for the maintenance of the cycling of mannose 6-phosphate receptors between the TGN and endosomes, this cycling is necessary for proper lysosomal sorting of acid hydrolases such as CTSD.