Plays a role in the trafficking of mitochondria along microtubules (PubMed:19325000). Regulates the kinesin-mediated axonal transport of mitochondria to nerve terminals along microtubules during hypoxia (PubMed:19325000). Participates in the translocation of TRAK2/GRIF1 from the cytoplasm to the mitochondrion (PubMed:19325000). Also plays a role in steroidogenesis through maintenance of mitochondrial abundance and morphology (PubMed:19528298). Plays an inhibitory role during neocortex development by regulating mitochondrial morphology, distribution and motility in neocortical neurons (PubMed:24323429). Interacts with RHOT1/Miro-1, RHOT2/Miro-2, TRAK1/OIP106 and TRAK2/GRIF1. Colocalizes with RHOT1, RHOT2, TRAK1 and TRAK2 at the mitochondrion. Expressed in the ovary, testis, brain, adrenal glands and the compartments of the visual nervous system. Expressed in corneal endothelium (CE) (at protein level). Expressed in steroidogenic tissues with the highest level of expression observed in the adrenal gland. Weakly expressed in placenta. Weakly expressed in astrocytes and neurons under normoxia. Strongly expressed in astrocytes and neurons under hypoxia. Expressed in each layer of the retina, with particularly higher staining in the inner segment of the photoreceptor (IS), the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Up-regulated by chorionic gonadotropin in ovary. Up-regulated by hypoxia in a HIF-1A-dependent manner in neurons and astrocytes. Up-regulated during gonad development after birth, probably under the regulation of hormones derived from the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Reduction of mitochondrial motion in the anterograde direction and increase of mitochondrial motion in the retrograde direction in response to hypoxia (PubMed:19528298). The number of motile mitochondria is not altered (PubMed:19528298). Neocortical neurons exhibit a remarkable increase of the dendritic number and the axon length (PubMed:24323429). Neuronal cells show an increase in the percentage of round mitochondria and a decrease in the percentage of rod or tubular mitochondria (PubMed:24323429).