Plays a role in the initiation of autophagy. In the retina, might be involved in the process of photoreceptor cells renewal and recycling to preserve visual function. Induces apoptotic cell death when coexpressed with DRAM1. Localized to photoreceptor inner segments and to the apical surface of retinal pigment epithelial cells. Expression is down-regulated in ovarian tumors (at protein level). Widely expressed with highest levels in placenta and heart. Expressed in the retina. Not detected in brain or thymus. Not induced by p53/TP53 or TP73/p73. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the DRAM/TMEM150 family.