This gene encodes a member of the WD-repeat protein family. The encoded protein is a component of the nucleolar small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snoRNP) and is essential for 18s rRNA processing during ribosome synthesis. It contains seven WD domains required for nucleolar localization and specific interaction with the U3 small nucleolar RNA (U3 snoRNA). [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2012].