The GEMIN7 gene encodes a protein that localizes to the cytoplasm as well as the gems of Cajal bodies in the nucleus. The GEMIN7 protein associates with SMN1 (Survival of Motor Neuron 1) and other proteins to form a large macromolecular SMN complex. This complex plays a key role in the post-transcriptional splicing of pre-mRNAs by helping assemble small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), which are complexes of RNA and Sm proteins that form the spliceosome. The SMN complex locates the inactive trapped Sm protein complex in the cytosol, dissociates it from the chaperone CLNS1A, and imports it to the nucleus for snRNP assembly.