This gene encodes a protein that belongs to a family of GTPase activator proteins of Rab-like small GTPases. The encoded protein and its cognate GTPase, Rab1, bind the nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) to mediate viral replication. Depletion of this protein inhibits replication of the virus and HCV infection. Mutations in this gene are associated with Warburg micro syndrome 4. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2014].