Required for organization of the cellular microtubule array and microtubule anchoring at the centrosome. May regulate microtubule organization at least in part by targeting the microtubule severing protein KATNA1 to the centrosome. Also positively regulates the activity of the minus-end directed microtubule motor protein dynein. May enhance dynein-mediated microtubule sliding by targeting dynein to the microtubule plus ends. Required for several dynein- and microtubule-dependent processes such as the maintenance of Golgi integrity, the centripetal motion of secretory vesicles and the coupling of the nucleus and centrosome. Also required during brain development for the migration of newly formed neurons from the ventricular/subventricular zone toward the cortical plate. Plays a role, together with DISC1, in the regulation of neurite outgrowth. Required for mitosis in some cell types but appears to be dispensible for mitosis in cortical neuronal progenitors, which instead requires NDE1. Facilitates the polymerization of neurofilaments from the individual subunits NEFH and NEFL. Positively regulates lysosome peripheral distribution and ruffled border formation in osteoclasts (PubMed:27777970). Interacts with PLEKHM1 (via N- and C-terminus) (PubMed:27777970). Interacts with dynactin, PCM1 and PCNT. Interacts (via C-terminus) with CENPF (By similarity). Self-associates. Interacts with DISC1, dynein, tubulin gamma, KATNA1, KATNB1, microtubules, PAFAHB1 and YWHAE. Interacts directly with NEFL and indirectly with NEFH. Interacts with ZNF365 (By similarity). Localizes to the kinetochore in a CENPF-dependent manner. Colocalizes with DISC1 in the perinuclear region, including the centrosome (By similarity). Localizes to the interphase centrosome and the mitotic spindle. Localizes to the cell body of the motor neurons and colocalizes with assembled neurofilaments within axonal processes. Localizes to the microtubules of the manchette in elongated spermatids. Localizes to the interphase centrosome and the mitotic spindle. Expressed in brain, liver, lung and testis (at protein level). Expressed in brain, epididymis, eye, heart, kidney, large intestine, liver, ovary, pancreas, prostate, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, spleen, submaxillary gland, testis, thymus and thyroid. Within the brain expression is pronounced in the cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, striatum, thalamic and hypothalamic structures and in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. Largely excluded from cortical progenitor cells which express NDE1. Expression in the brain is detectable from 7 dpc, rises at 15 dpc and 17 dpc and peaks at P5. Enriched in the developing cortex, particularly in neuroblasts of the ventricular zone and postmitotic migrating cortical plate neurons. Interaction with DISC1 in the brain is developmentally regulated, peaking at 17 dpc and decreasing at P16 so as to be undetectable in the adult brain. Expressed in the testis from P12, when zygotene spermatocytes first appear, and expression subsequently rises at P27. Phosphorylated by CDK1 and MAPK1 (By similarity). Phosphorylated in mitosis. Phosphorylated by CDK5. Phosphorylation by CDK5 promotes interaction with KATNA1 and YWHAE. Palmitoylation at Cys-273 reduces affinity for dynein. Belongs to the nudE family.