Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.0.0)
Enables protein homodimerization activity. Involved in positive regulation of melanin biosynthetic process. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including acetoacetic acid metabolic process; melanocyte differentiation; and melanosome organization. Located in melanosome membrane. Is expressed in several structures, including hip; nervous system; sensory organ; skeleton; and skin. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in oculocutaneous albinism; oculocutaneous albinism type III; and pigmentation disease. Orthologous to human TYRP1 (tyrosinase related protein 1).