May play a role in cellular stress response. Interacts with CRYAB and HSPB1. Widely expressed. A chromosomal aberration involving HSPBAP1 has been found in a family with renal carcinoma (PubMed:12939738). Translocation t(2;3)(q35;q21) with the putative pseudogene DIRC3 (PubMed:12939738). Produces a hybrid mRNA encoding a truncated HSPBAP1 lacking the first 36 amino acids (PubMed:12939738).