Involved in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of mitochondria (PubMed:19855018). Activity is required for maintaining the subcellular distribution, shape and activity of mitochondria in neurons and as a consequence has an important role in the development and maintenance of dendritic arbors (PubMed:19855018). Function may be particularly important in class IV dendritic arborization (da) neurons (PubMed:19855018). Detected at the mitochondria cristae. Widely expressed. Expressed from the earliest stages of development, and is ubiquitous throughout embryonic development (PubMed:15700158). At stage 16, it is strongly up-regulated in the developing brain lobes, but not in the ventral nerve cord (PubMed:15700158). Also up-regulated in specific regions of the midgut (PubMed:15700158). Expressed during all subsequent developmental stages from first instar larvae through to adulthood (PubMed:15700158). In larvae, expressed in dendritic arborization (da) neurons, with highest levels of expression in class IV neurons compared to the other da classes (PubMed:19855018). Lethal at early larval stages.