This gene encodes a protein that is part of the eurkaryotic translation initiation factor 3 complete (eIF-3) required for protein synthesis. Elevated levels of the encoded protein are present in cancer cell lines. Inactivation of the encoded protein has been shown to interfere with translation of herpes virus mRNAs by preventing the association of mRNAs with the ribosomes. A pseudogene of this gene is located on the X chromosome.