Acts as component of the GARP complex that is involved in retrograde transport from early and late endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) (PubMed:21613545). The GARP complex facilitates tethering as well as SNARE complex assembly at the Golgi (PubMed:21613545). Plays a role in the trafficking of cargo to dense-core vesicles, probably through association with the EARP-interacting protein eipr-1 (PubMed:27191843). Important for neuronal function (PubMed:27191843). Component of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, also called VFT (VPS fifty-three) complex, composed of vps-51, vps-52, vps-53 and vps-54. Within the complex interacts with vps-53 and vps-54 (PubMed:21613545). Interacts with the small GTPases rab-6.1 and rab-6.2 (PubMed:21613545). Co-localizes with rab-2 to perinuclear puncta in the perikaryon. Co-localizes with the small GTPases rab-6.1 and rab-6.2 at Golgi structures (PubMed:21613545). Ubiquitously expressed, with particularly strong expression in neuronal cells (PubMed:21613545). Specifically expressed in head and tail neurons and in the pharynx and ventral cord motor neurons (PubMed:27191843). Enlarged lysosomes (PubMed:21613545). Reduced brood size (PubMed:21613545). Egg-laying defect, slow, but coordinated locomotion, and reduced levels of unprocessed and processed cargo in the motor neuron axon of the dorsal nerve cord (PubMed:27191843). Belongs to the VPS52 family.