This gene encodes a member of the nonmuscle class I myosins which are a subgroup of the unconventional myosin protein family. The unconventional myosin proteins function as actin-based molecular motors. Class I myosins are characterized by a head (motor) domain, a regulatory domain and a either a short or long tail domain. Among the class I myosins, this protein is distinguished by a long tail domain that is involved in crosslinking actin filaments. This protein localizes to the cytoplasm and may be involved in intracellular movement and membrane trafficking. Mutations in this gene are the cause of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis-6. This gene has been referred to as myosin IC in the literature but is distinct from the myosin IC gene located on chromosome 17.