Unknown. The protein may play some role in a cellular membrane location. May reside within an internal membrane compartment and function in pathways such as those involved in protein and/or vesicle trafficking. Alternatively, the mature protein may be localized in the plasma membrane and serve as a site of interaction for other molecules through its highly charged C-terminal domain. Interacts with TOMT. Expressed in brain, kidney, liver, lung and cochlea. Required for normal postnatal maturation of sensory hair cells in the cochlea, including correct development of stereocilia bundles. Defects in Tmie are the cause of the spinner mutant strain phenotype (sr). This disorder results in hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction due to neuroepithelial defects in the inner ear. It is recognized by behavioral dysfunction, including bidirectional circling and head shaking. Auditory function in spinner mice is found to be reduced, based upon the lack of a startle reflex to sound at any age. Breeding experiments indicated that these defects are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. The postnatal defects present in the cochleae of sr/sr mice suggest a requirement for Tmie during maturation of sensory cells, including the normal development or maintenance of stereocilia bundles.