Could play a role in cell proliferation during neuronal differentiation and in protection against cell death. Interacts with CLN5 (PubMed:19941651). Interacts with CLN3 (By similarity). Defects in Cln8 are the cause of the phenotype motor neuron degeneration (mnd). Mnd is a naturally occurring mutant It is characterized by progressive motor system degeneration. It has intracellular autofluorescent inclusions similar to those seen in human Cln8.