Mutations in Rae1 and Gle2(Saccharomyces cerevisae homolog) genes have been shown to result in accumulation of poly(A)-containing mRNA in the nucleus, suggesting that the encoded proteins are involved in RNA export. It contains four WD40 motifs, and has been shown to localize to distinct foci in the nucleoplasm, to the nuclear rim, and to meshwork-like structures throughout the cytoplasm. This gene is thought to be involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport, and in directly or indirectly attaching cytoplasmic mRNPs to the cytoskeleton. Depletion of Rae1 from extracts or cells severely inhibits mitotic spindle assembly. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.