This gene encodes a protein that belongs to a conserved family of histone methyltransferases that predominantly act as negative regulators of transcription. The encoded protein contains an N-terminal Su(var)3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste, and Trithorax (SET) domain and a double zinc-finger domain. Knockout of this gene in mouse results in mistargeting by neurons of the dorsal telencephalon, abnormal itch-like behavior, and impaired differentiation of rod bipolar cells. In humans, the protein has been shown to interact with the phosphatase laforin and the ubiquitin ligase malin, which regulate glycogen construction in the cytoplasm. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016].