This gene encodes one of the U5 snRNP-specific proteins. This protein belongs to the DEXH-box family of putative RNA helicases. It is a core component of U4/U6-U5 snRNPs and appears to catalyze an ATP-dependent unwinding of U4/U6 RNA duplices. Mutations in this gene cause autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found, but the full-length nature of these variants has not been determined.