该基因是dna错配修复（mmr）基因的mutl同源（mlh）家族成员。mlh基因参与了dna复制和减数分裂重组后基因组完整性的维持。由该基因编码的蛋白质与其他家族成员具有异源二聚体的功能。该基因的体细胞突变常发生在微卫星不稳定的肿瘤中，而种系突变与遗传性7型非息肉病性结直肠癌（hnpcc7）有关。已经确定了几个选择性剪接的转录变体，但仅确定了两个转录变体的全长性质。[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
This gene is a member of the MutL-homolog (MLH) family of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. MLH genes are implicated in maintaining genomic integrity during DNA replication and after meiotic recombination. The protein encoded by this gene functions as a heterodimer with other family members. Somatic mutations in this gene frequently occur in tumors exhibiting microsatellite instability, and germline mutations have been linked to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer type 7 (HNPCC7). Several alternatively spliced transcript variants have been identified, but the full-length nature of only two transcript variants has been determined. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]