This gene is a member of the cytidine deaminase gene family. It is one of seven related genes or pseudogenes found in a cluster, thought to result from gene duplication, on chromosome 22. Members of the cluster encode proteins that are structurally and functionally related to the C to U RNA-editing cytidine deaminase APOBEC1. The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes site-specific deamination of both RNA and single-stranded DNA. The encoded protein has been found to be a specific inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infectivity.