This gene encodes a protein that that is targeted to the mitochondrion and modifies transfer RNAs (tRNAs) by adding a dimethylallyl group onto the adenine at position 37. This modification is important for maintaining the correct reading frame during protein translation. This gene is considered a tumor suppressor and its expression can decrease cell growth. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcripts variants, most of which are likely non-functional. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2015].