This gene encodes a member of the heat shock protein 90 family; these proteins are involved in signal transduction, protein folding and degradation and morphological evolution. This gene encodes the constitutive form of the cytosolic 90 kDa heat-shock protein and is thought to play a role in gastric apoptosis and inflammation. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. Pseudogenes have been identified on multiple chromosomes.The protein encoded by this gene is an inducible molecular chaperone that functions as a homodimer. The encoded protein aids in the proper folding of specific target proteins by use of an ATPase activity that is modulated by co-chaperones. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.