DPCD is a 203 amino acid protein that is expressed at higher levels during ciliated cell differentiation, suggesting that DPCD plays a role in the function or formation of ciliated cells. In primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), an autosomal recessive disease that is caused by mutations affecting the proper function of cilia, an exon in the DPCD gene is deleted. The phenotype of PCD is variable, though it may include symptoms such as sinus inverse totalis, infertility or otitis media. In severe cases, patients develop end-stage bronchiectasis and require a lung transplantation. DPCD is highly expressed in testis, with weak expression in heart, pancreas and skeletal muscle.