Involved in retrograde transport from early and late endosomes to late Golgi by linking the vesicle through the t-SNARE TGL1 to the Golgi, leading to the membrane fusion between late Golgi and endosomal vesicles. Seems also to be involved in protein transport from Golgi to the plasma membrane and is required for the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton. Component of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, also called VFT (VPS fifty-three) complex, composed of VPS51, VPS52, VPS53 and VPS54. Interacts also with YPT6, TLG1, RBL2, SEC10, SEC15, EXO84 and ARL1. May also be mitochondrial. Present with 2540 molecules/cell in log phase SD medium. Belongs to the VPS54 family.