The protein encoded by this gene is a subunit of the augmin complex. The augmin complex plays a role in microtubule attachment to the kinetochore and central spindle formation. This protein may have a role in efficient chromosome congression and segregation by promoting microtubule-dependent microtubule amplification. Pseudogenes of this gene are located on chromosomes 7 and 20. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode different protein isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2012]