Acts as one of several non-catalytic accessory components of the cytoplasmic dynein 2 complex (dynein-2 complex), a motor protein complex that drives the movement of cargos along microtubules within cilia and flagella in concert with the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, facilitating the assembly of these organelles (By similarity) (PubMed:15371312). Involved in the regulation of ciliary length (By similarity). Light intermediate chain of the cytoplasmic dynein complex 2, a multisubunit complex composed at least of eleven different proteins. The cytoplasmic dynein 2 complex consists of two catalytic heavy chains (HCs) and a number of non-catalytic subunits presented by intermediate chains (ICs), light intermediate chains (LICs) and light chains (LCs). Among them, a heavy chain (DYNC2H1), two intermediate chains (DYNC2I2 and DYNC2I1), a light intermediate chain (DYNC2LI1), and a light chain (DYNLT2B) are unique to the dynein-2 complex, but a subset of light chains are also shared by dynein-1 and dynein-2 complexes. Dynein-2 complex is built around two copies of cytoplasmic dynein 2 heavy chain 1 (DYNC2H1). The C-terminal region forms the motor domain, which converts the energy from ATP hydrolysis into movement. Its N-terminal region forms the tail, an extended structure that binds the other subunits and holds the two heavy chains in a homodimer. Interacts with DYNC2H1 (via N-terminus); this interaction stabilizes the dynein-2 complex structure. Localizes to the apical cytoplasm. Specifically expressed by ciliated cells in brain, lung, spleen, testis and kidney (at protein level). Enriched in the ependymal layer lining the lateral ventricles (at protein level). Specifically expressed by monociliated cells of the ventral node from the late streak to early somite stage. Death before 11.5 dpc with defects in notochord and floor plate formation and a reduction of definitive endoderm. Mice also display anterior truncations of the forebrain, defects in the ventral body wall, in closure of the neural tube, and either an arrest of embryonic turning and heart looping or a randomization in their direction. Belongs to the dynein light intermediate chain family.