Myo1a encodes a member of the myosin superfamily. The myosin IA represents an unconventional myosin; it should not be confused with the conventional skeletal muscle myosin-1 (MYH1). Unconventional myosins contain the basic domains characteristic of conventional myosins and are further distinguished from class members by their tail domains. They function as actin-based molecular motors. Mutations in this gene have been associated with autosomal dominant deafness. Alternatively spliced variants have been found for this gene.