This gene encodes a protein that may play a role in organelle biogenesis associated with melanosomes, platelet dense granules, and lysosomes. This protein interacts with Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome 6 protein and may interact with the cytoplasmic domain of integrin, alpha-3. Mutations in this gene are associated with Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome type 5. Multiple transcript variants encoding two distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene.[7]
^Wixler V, Laplantine E, Geerts D, Sonnenberg A, Petersohn D, Eckes B, Paulsson M, Aumailley M (Apr 1999). "Identification of novel interaction partners for the conserved membrane proximal region of alpha-integrin cytoplasmic domains". FEBS Lett. 445 (2–3): 351–5. Bibcode:1999FEBSL.445..351W. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(99)00151-9. PMID10094488. S2CID9218762.
Zhang Q, Zhao B, Li W, et al. (2003). "Ru2 and Ru encode mouse orthologs of the genes mutated in human Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome types 5 and 6". Nat. Genet. 33 (2): 145–53. doi:10.1038/ng1087. PMID12548288. S2CID23938527.