Acts as one of several non-catalytic accessory components of the cytoplasmic dynein complex that are thought to be involved in linking dynein to cargos and to adapter proteins that regulate dynein function. Cytoplasmic dynein 1 acts as a motor for the intracellular retrograde motility of vesicles and organelles along microtubules. May play a role in changing or maintaining the spatial distribution of cytoskeletal structures (By similarity). Also a component of the nuclear pore complex where it may contribute to the stable association of the Nup82 subcomplex with the NPC (PubMed:17546040, PubMed:23223634, PubMed:25646085). Homodimer (PubMed:17546040, PubMed:23223634, PubMed:25646085). Cytoplasmic dynein consists of two catalytic heavy chains (HCs) and a number of non-catalytic subunits which present intermediate chains (ICs), light intermediate chains (LICs) and light chains (LCs). Component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) (PubMed:17546040). NPC constitutes the exclusive means of nucleocytoplasmic transport. NPCs allow the passive diffusion of ions and small molecules and the active, nuclear transport receptor-mediated bidirectional transport of macromolecules such as proteins, RNAs, ribonucleoparticles (RNPs), and ribosomal subunits across the nuclear envelope. Due to its 8-fold rotational symmetry, all subunits are present with 8 copies or multiples thereof (PubMed:17546040). Part of the NUP82 subcomplex (PubMed:17546040, PubMed:25646085, PubMed:23223634). In the complex, interacts directly with Nup159 (PubMed:17546040, PubMed:25646085, PubMed:23223634). Present with 1310 molecules/cell in log phase SD medium. Belongs to the dynein light chain family.