Acts as one of several non-catalytic accessory components of the cytoplasmic dynein 1 complex that are thought to be involved in linking dynein to cargos and to adapter proteins that regulate dynein function. Cytoplasmic dynein 1 acts as a motor for the intracellular retrograde motility of vesicles and organelles along microtubules. May play a role in changing or maintaining the spatial distribution of cytoskeletal structures. Binds and inhibits the catalytic activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Promotes transactivation functions of ESR1 and plays a role in the nuclear localization of ESR1. Regulates apoptotic activities of BCL2L11 by sequestering it to microtubules. Upon apoptotic stimuli the BCL2L11-DYNLL1 complex dissociates from cytoplasmic dynein and translocates to mitochondria and sequesters BCL2 thus neutralizing its antiapoptotic activity.
[1]"Cytoplasmic dynein (ddlc1) mutations cause morphogenetic defects and apoptotic cell death in Drosophila melanogaster." Dick T., Ray K., Salz H.K., Chia W. Mol. Cell. Biol. 16:1966-1977(1996) [2]"Cloning of human full open reading
