Functions in the development of neural tissues, particularly the postnatal maturation of the cerebellar cortex. May play a role in neurotransmission through regulation of glutaminase/GLS, an enzyme responsible for the production in neurons of the glutamate neurotransmitter. Alternatively, may regulate the localization of mitochondria within axons and dendrites. Interacts with KLC1; may link mitochondria to KLC1 and regulate mitochondria localization into neuron projections. Interacts with GLS; the interaction is direct and may control GLS localization, negatively regulating its activity. Interacts with PIN1; upon NGF stimulation (By similarity). The interaction with PIN1 (via WW domain) and GLS is competitive (By similarity). Specifically expressed in brain. Detected in cerebellum (at protein level). Detected at E15, P1, P7, P14, P36 and in adult cerebellum in all neuronal populations. Peakes at P7 in hippocampus, increases linearly from P1 to P36 in cerebellum, and shows minimal developmental regulation in cerebral cortex. At E15, also detected in dorsal root and peripheral ganglia. In cerebellum, the transcript is present in the molecular, Purkinje and granular layers with higher expression in the molecular layer at P14. The CRAL-TRIO domain is known to bind small hydrophobic molecules. Cleaved by CASP3 and CASP7. The potential C-terminal product released by CASP3 cleavage may inhibit the ERK signaling pathway through MAP2K2 (By similarity). May be ubiquitinated by STUB1. Defects in Atcay are the cause of primary generalized dystonia. The dt (SD-dt:JFL) rat is a spontaneous mutant that develops a dystonic motor syndrome by P12. Dystonic rats exhibit both axial and appendicular dystonia that progresses in severity with increasing postnatal age. There are no gross differences between normal and dt rats in terms of brain morphology.