Members of this family of proteins are required for osteoclast and melanocyte maturation and function. Mutations give rise to autosomal recessive osteopetrosis [MIM:259700]; also called autosomal recessive Albers-Schonberg disease.

1: Grey-lethal mutation induces severe malignant autosomal recessive osteopetrosis in mouse and human. Chalhoub N, Benachenhou N, Rajapurohitam V, Pata M, Ferron M, Frattini A, Villa A, Vacher J; Nat Med. 2003;9:399-406. PMID:12627228