Required to promote assembly of the transition zone in primary cilia. Acts by specifically recognizing and binding the axonemal microtubule (By similarity). Plays a role in cell proliferation and differentiation in the neuroretina. Has an ATPase activity in vitro. Localizes to the distal end of centrioles throughout the cell cycle. Expressed in retina and brain (at protein level). Detected from E5 onward in the neuroretina (at protein level). Depletion of QN1 leads to retinal dysplasia. Belongs to the CEP162 family. Was initially thought to regulate chromosome segregation and mitotic spindle assembly (PubMed:16302001). However, it was later shown that its absence neither affect mitosis nor centriole duplication.