Positively regulates the activity of the minus-end directed microtubule motor protein dynein. May enhance dynein-mediated microtubule sliding by targeting dynein to the microtubule plus end. Required for several dynein- and microtubule-dependent processes such as nuclear migration during cell division, mitotic spindle formation and the removal of mitotic checkpoint proteins from kinetochores at the metaphase to anaphase transition. Required for several aspects of neurogenesis including neuroblast proliferation, neuronal cell differentiation, dendritic growth, branching and maturation and axonal transport. Required for synchronized cell divisions in the germline, fusome integrity and oocyte differentiation. Acts together with BicD, Egl, dynein and microtubules to determine oocyte identity during oogenesis. Also required for nurse cell to oocyte transport during oocyte growth and for the positioning of the nucleus in the oocyte. Interacts with dynein and dynactin. Does not interact with Paf-A-Halpha. Localizes to the plus end of microtubules. Also localizes to the mitotic spindle poles from late prophase through to telophase and to kinetochore microtubules in metaphase. Localization to kinetochore microtubules is reduced in anaphase and telophase. In oocytes, it concentrates in the cortex from stage 5 of oogenesis. Expressed primarily in germline cells during oogenesis. Low levels are detected in the germarium in regions 1 and 2 and in both nurse cells and the oocyte in stage 2-4 egg chambers. Enriched in the oocyte during stages 5-7 and in nurse cells in stage 8-10 egg chambers. Ubiquitously distributed in early embryos. Expressed throughout cell bodies, dendrites and axons of the mushroom-body neurons. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Expressed throughout all developmental stages but is most abundant at precellular blastoderm stages; expression declines after gastrulation. Expressed at higher level in adult females. Following germ-band retraction it is enriched in the developing central nervous system. In third-instar larvae, low levels are detected in the brain hemispheres and imaginal disks. Dimerization mediated by the LisH domain may be required to activate dynein. Belongs to the WD repeat LIS1/nudF family. Truncated N-terminus.