The precise function of this protein is unknown. A deletion/insertion mutation is associated with an autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing impairment form [1]. In addition, this protein has also been found to contribute to acquired etoposide resistance in melanoma cells [2]. This family also includes the gasdermin protein [3]

1: Nonsyndromic hearing impairment is associated with a mutation in DFNA5. Van Laer L, Huizing EH, Verstreken M, van Zuijlen D, Wauters JG, Bossuyt PJ, Van de Heyning P, McGuirt WT, Smith RJ, Willems PJ, Legan PK, Richardson GP, Van Camp G; Nat Genet 1998;20:194-197. PMID:9771715

2: DFNA5 (ICERE-1) contributes to acquired etoposide resistance in melanoma cells. Lage H, Helmbach H, Grottke C, Dietel M, Schadendorf D; FEBS Lett 2001;494:54-59. PMID:11297734

3: Gasdermin (Gsdm) localizing to mouse Chromosome 11 is predominantly expressed in upper gastrointestinal tract but significantly suppressed in human gastric cancer cells. Saeki N, Kuwahara Y, Sasaki H, Satoh H, Shiroishi T; Mamm Genome 2000;11:718-724. PMID:10967128

4: Pore-forming activity and structural autoinhibition of the gasdermin family. Ding J, Wang K, Liu W, She Y, Sun Q, Shi J, Sun H, Wang DC, Shao F; Nature. 2016;535:111-116. PMID:27281216